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The Guardian - Back to homeThe Guardian

Toxic nation: Australia's pesticide problem

Australian food is treated with dozens of chemicals that are banned from use in other countries. Lax regulation and unique farming conditions make Australia one of the heaviest pesticide users in the western world

2 May 2023

  • Overhead view of a tractor towing a tank which is spraying pesticide on grapevines

    Australia fails to adequately monitor effect of agricultural chemicals in humans, report finds

    Study confirms government lacks basic data on pesticides and other chemicals in the environment

24 December 2022

  • wheat

    Shortfalls in Australia’s food pesticide residue monitoring raised almost a decade ago

    Documents obtained by the Guardian reveal government has no real idea about agricultural chemicals’ impact on environment

14 October 2022

  • David Pocock beneath a mural of a bird

    60 years on since Silent Spring, David Pocock enters the debate on food and pesticides

    The ACT’s independent senator is a vital voice to watch as the country seeks a path forward on biodiversity, agricultural sustainability and the climate crisis

11 October 2022

  • A plane carrying out aerial spraying in Australia

    I am no fan of agricultural chemicals but without them food would cost much more

    There is a debate to be had about the use of chemicals on Australian farms but it needs to begin with a question: are we willing to pay more for fresh produce?

6 October 2022

  • A wheat harvester in working on a field

    How big pesticide reaches into every element of rural life in Australia

    Multinational chemical firms subsidise agronomists, provide scholarships, sponsor farm safety programs and even fund the pesticide regulator

4 October 2022

  • Canola farmers will have to stop using omethoate to control red-legged earth mites if they want to sell into the European market.

    There are real alternatives to widespread pesticide use. Australia must embrace the change

    Sarina Macfadyen and Nancy Schellhorn
    Over the last two years, CSIRO has been talking to Australia’s food producers about a new suite of solutions to pest control

1 October 2022

  • Older man in hat working in backyard garden

    Gardeners beware: household chemicals banned overseas are still used in Australia

    From tomato dust to snail pellets, Australia takes a much more relaxed approach to household pesticide use than other countries

29 September 2022

  • Worker spraying pesticides or insecticides on wheat plantation

    Department admits it has ‘little information’ on pesticide residue in Australian food

  • Aerial view of employee harvesting crops on an organic farm

    With the right incentives, organic farming could be Australia’s way to a pesticide-free future

    Carolyn Suggate

28 September 2022

  • Blueberry farms near Coffs Harbour

    Blueberry blues: how the cash crop is causing a contamination crisis in Coffs Harbour

  • Farmer spraying vegetable green plants in the garden with pesticides

    How can I reduce my pesticide exposure – and is washing fruit and vegetables enough?

27 September 2022

  • Plantation spraying<br>Worker spraying toxic pesticides or insecticides on corn plantation

    Australia’s farmers could reap the benefits from smarter use of pesticides

  • English Cox Apples and Conference Pears in a Bowl<br>BFKYNM English Cox Apples and Conference Pears in a Bowl

    Who tests your food for pesticides in Australia?

26 September 2022

  • Tractor spraying a paddock

    Australian food is grown with dangerous chemicals banned in other countries

  • Pesticides in use in Margaret River, Western Australia. Australia continues to allow the use of pesticides that have been banned in other countries, like paraquat, atrazine and fiprinol.

    The dirty dozen: 12 pesticides that are banned elsewhere but still used in Australia

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