More than 300 pesticides are permitted in conventional agriculture, and some may combine in a harmful cocktail effect. However, recent UK government data on pesticides and mainstream crops shows that they could create a very concerning cocktail effect. Toxicologists refer to a cocktail effect because while safety certificates are issued to individual pesticides, their cumulative effect is not tested. Toxicologists refer to a cocktail effect because pesticides' cumulative effect is not testedThe advice is therefore to swap conventional for organic. In the organic farming system, certified by the Soil Association, only 15 pesticides are permitted (derived from natural ingredients and used under heavily regulated circumstances).

Source: The Guardian December 03, 2017 06:00 UTC