Challenges for Sustainable Pest Management

An evening of open discussion about sustainable pest management systems led to lively exchange amoung the guests and interdisciplinary experts from agronomy, agroecology, human toxicology, ecotoxicology and agricultural economics and policy.

18.08.2022 by Jeanne Tomaszewski

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At the recent discussion event at ETH Zurich, over 50 guests joined a a consortium of interdisciplinary experts from agronomy, agroecology, human toxicology, ecotoxicology and agricultural economics and policy. Each researcher presented their views on current challenges in pest management and their ideas for paths forward. Niklas Möhring also spoke about sustainable pest management and its interplay with the Agenda 2030 Sustainable Development Goals

The floor was then open for discussion with all experts, around small tables and with refreshment in hand. Many reflected that the format was nice for exchange and the discussion were lively.

We thank the consortium for joining us and sharing their perspectives. We also thank the ETH Zurich Agricultural Economics and Policy Group for their help in organizing the event. Only by bringing science, data and insights together can we affect meaningful transformations.

Challenges for Sustainable Pest Management
A discussion event

Date: Monday, 08 August 2022
Time: 18:00 – 20:00 CEST
Location: ETH Zurich

Impression from Challenges for Sustainable Pest Management Event

The consortium of interdisciplinary experts joined us for the discussion event at ETH Zurich. (Image: WFSC) Martijn Sonnevelt & Robert Finger welcomed the guests at the event. (Image: WFSC)
All then moved outside for open discussions with the experts. (Image: WFSC)
Many reflected that the format was nice for exchange and the discussions were lively. (Image: WFSC)

Expert Consortium

“The research of my team is at the interface of agricultural sciences and economics and contributes to more resilient and sustainable agricultural and food systems.”

Robert Finger, Professor of Agricultural Economics and Policy, ETH Zurich

“My research focuses on decision making under risk and uncertainty using online surveys and economic experiments.”

Chloe McCallum, Postdoctoral Researcher, Agricultural Economics and Policy Group, ETH Zurich

“My key expertise is on integrated weed management in primarily arable crops, IPM implementation and pesticide policies. Besides research, I am also involved in policy support for the competent pesticide authorities in Denmark.”

Per Kudsk, Professor at Department of Agroecology, Aarhus University, Denmark

“My research takes an interdisciplinary approach to improve the understanding of pest management decisions and their impacts - and identify effective and efficient tools and policies to reduce pesticide risks.”

Niklas Möhring, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow at the Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé (CEBC-CNRS), France

“I have been working on the economics of agricultural pest control for more than 25 years with a particular focus on smallholder farmers in the Global South.”

Matin Qaim, Professor of Agricultural Economics and Director at the Center for Development Research (ZEF), University of Bonn, Germany

“My research studies health effects of food contaminants using high-throughput ‘omics’ methods. The main focus is the toxicity of pesticides on the gut microbiome. ”

Robin Mesnage, Research Associate, King’s College London

“I am an agricultural scientist and an expert in organic farming systems, specialized in weed control and management. For me, in addition to ecologically and socially responsible agriculture, nutrition is also a priority.”

Urs Niggli, President of the Institute for Agroecology, Aarau; Former Director of FiBL

“My research looks at the transport of agrochemicals (pesticides, veterinary antibiotics, nutrients) from soils to water bodies at different spatial scales. I am involved in interdisciplinary research on sustainable agriculture and water quality.”

Christian Stamm, Deputy Head Department of Environmental Chemistry, Eawag

Additional Resources