How REACT contributes to pesticide use reduction

React Insect

24 April 2023

The use of SIT could help reaching Europe’s declared goal to reduce the use of pesticides in agriculture.

Pesticides are there to fight invasive species of insects and weeds. However, they have the potential to contaminate our soils, the crops they should protect,and the water we drink. In addition, they often target not only the the pests they are intended to, but also other vegetation and beneficial species. Ana Larcher, a researcher at the Lisbon University Insititude, addresses the topic of pesticide use in agriculture, explaining why the approach of the REACT project is likely to innovatively exploit the potential of another technique for pest control.

But why is REACT so innovative, even though many other initiatives have taken on the challenge of eradicating pesticide use? Antonions Avgoustinos, a researcher at the Hellenic Agricultural Organisation, explains from his professional perspective what makes REACT stand out.

Of course, novel technologies in pest control potentially carry many risks. Cristina Borghesi, a PhD student at the Justus-Liebig University Giessen, presents the agricultural benefits of the REACT project.

The approach taken by the REACT project is promising. Now it is a matter of successful implementation in order to make a long-term contribution to making agriculture independent of pesticides. REACT can make a contribution to this.