Plant and animal health and welfare

Current control of pests is based around the application of high volumes of synthetic toxicant pesticides which can have damaging effects on non-target organisms. Integrated Pest Management requires the much more extensive use of biological controls which offer human and environmental safety. Acceptance of animal sentience forms the foundation of animal welfare policies. There are certain similarities in the debates about animal and plant health. Both rely on solutions devised by government but also ones that emerge from private actors in the market. Securing the right combination of these public and private solutions is a significant challenge. Both biopesticides and animal welfare-friendly products essentially serve niche markets, even if they are growing. Both are reliant on public awareness and attitudes, although retailers play an important role as intermediaries, setting their own rules on the use of plant protection products and promoting animal welfare.