Glossary

Synthetic pesticides

All pesticides made by synthesis are synthetic. In chemistry, synthesis is the process in which a compound is made from elements or a compound new substance is made from simply built compounds. Because of their «artificial» production, synthetic pesticides are often suspected of being «toxic» in the public perception. However, whether a plant protection product was produced synthetically or not says nothing about the toxicity of the substance.

Naturally occurring substances can also be highly toxic. For example, The insecticide pyrethrum, which is permitted in organic farming, is obtained from the natural flowers of chrysanthemums and kills bees if they come into direct contact with it. Synthetic active ingredients can be nature-identical in their effect. They can be produced in a laboratory with the desired properties and in the required quantity, while active ingredients obtained from nature are limited.