The greatest concerns relating to chemical pesticides are there toxicity to non-target species. Other
concerns relate to their costs, effectiveness on the target species, and persistence in the enviroment.
Assuming a farmer accepts the use of chemicals to control pests, the
ideal chemical pesticide is; cheap, effective, specific, broken down
quickly to form harmless substances
Intensive farming; the demand for cheap, plentiful food
has lead to the development of very intensive systems
such as factory farming. Factory farmed animals gain
weight quickly and are ready for slaughter at much
earlier age than animals that are reared outdoors
Some of the points made for factory farming; it is the only
way to supply cheap food in the high quantities demand
by the public. The condiditons are controlled to maximise
the health as well as growth of animals. Less intensive
forms of livestock rearing would require more contryside
to be used as farmland and would harm wildlife
Some of the points made against factory farming; It
does not allow animals to have all the five freedoms.
Antibiotics, pesticides, and growth-promoting
supplements may harm human health and the
enviroment.