Glossary term

Pesticides

Pesticides are products and agents designed to eliminate plant and animal pests, to protect plants, to protect supplies and products, to protect premises or livestock. They are divided into several types, e.g. according to the type of pest (from insect, mould, fungi, weeds, slugs, snails to rodents) or according to the type of effect (surface, systemic, selective, total effect, etc.). They can have neurotoxic effects or act as endogenous disruptors. Their excessive use causes the death of bees, contaminates surface waters and they disrupt and accumulate in ecosystems. Pesticides are monitored in food and the environment.