A philospohy of pest control —A biological approach to new pesticide developments

The influences on pest control that are external to the pesticide industry are discussed first. The complexity of the interrelationship between the five main parties to the pesticide controversy (the farmer, the public, the pesticide manufacturer, wild life interests and the government) explains in some measure the intensity of the controveersy itself. It is to be hoped that with increasing knowledge all parties will be able to move together along an agreed, optimum course.The responses within pest control in general, and the pesticide industry in particular, to these external influences are then discussed. Existing pest control practices largely utilise control at the level of the individual. Much current research relates to population control procedures. The pesticide industry is concerned with innovations relating to the mode of action of conventional insecticides as well as to new ways of using chemicals to control insect populations. It is suggested the long term success of population control procedures depends as much on the provision of appropriate organisasuccess of population control procedures depends as much on the provision of appropriate organisational requirements as on solving the technical problems.Finally, the likely future couse of pest control is considered. It is suggested that over the next 10 years or more the major burden of pest control will continue to fall on the pesticide industry much as at present. The first innovations, over the period 5–15 years hence, are likely to concern conventional pesticides with novel modes of action. Population control procedures will gradually become established and this process will accelerate over the period 10–20 years hence and beyond. However, full benefit from such procedures will only accrue if organisatonal requirements have been met.