Towards approaches that respect human health and ecosystems in agricultural practices

Abstract

Plant protection products used in agriculture contain molecules specifically designed to be toxic to target organisms. However, their use can also have unintended effects, posing potential risks to ecosystems and non-target organisms, including humans. Research has deepened our understanding of the links between exposure to these substances and the effects observed in the environment. In particular, studies have highlighted how even low levels of exposure can cause chronic effects on non-target organisms and disrupt ecosystems. These findings underscore the importance of quantifying and characterising these exposures in order to better assess their potential impacts on human health and the environment.International audienceThe roundtable discussion held on 6 February 2025 at ONIRIS in Nantes, co-organised by “Carrefours de l’Innovation INRAE” and “ECOPHYTO recherche & innovation”, revisited and expanded upon the presentation of the effects of plant protection products (PPPs) on human health and ecosystems. PPPs, designed to target pests and diseases, also affect non-target organisms, leading to human illnesses (cancers, neurological and respiratory diseases) and ecological imbalances. Robust research, including an INSERM report, has established the strength of the links between exposure to PPPs and various pathologies, particularly among agricultural workers, but also among children exposed in utero. On the environmental front, an INRAE-Ifremer study highlights widespread contamination, with serious impacts on biodiversity (bees, birds, invertebrates) and even the marine environment. The concept of “symbiotoxicity” underscores the disruption of organisms’ microbiomes, exacerbating their vulnerability. Research still lacks data on PPP degradation products and their combined effects (“cocktail effects”). Training programmes such as the One Health Master’s degree aim to prepare professionals capable of addressing these challenges in a systemic way. Since 2020, a compensation fund has been supporting PPP victims, including children exposed before birth. Specialised paediatric consultations are emerging to provide better support for families. Taken together, this body of work clearly calls for a rapid and widespread agroecological transition, implying far-reaching changes in farming practices. However, current policy orientations appear to favour a gradual approach, based on pragmatic actions that can be implemented without disrupting the foundations of the existing agricultural model