The use of phytosanitary products and synthetic fertilizers has shaped modern agriculture, supporting high productivity. But these inputs come at an environmental cost.
The phytosanitary products used in agriculture are a major source of pollution and a key pressure on biodiversity: broad-spectrum insecticide use, reduced quantity and diversity of available biomass, habitat loss, disrupted food chains, ingestion of treated seeds, immunotoxicity, etc.
In agricultural areas, pollution is one of the main causes of the decline in terrestrial invertebrate, bird, and amphibian populations. (1)
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A priority sector in preserving biodiversity
The Ecophyto 2030 strategy, published in May 2024, reaffirms the goal of reducing the use and risks of phytosanitary products by 50% by 2030.
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Agriculture is the second most significant source of greenhouse gas emissions in France, positioned after transportation and nearly on par with the industrial and construction sectors.
With a global warming potential nearly 300 times greater than CO₂, nitrous oxide (N₂O) is the third most significant greenhouse gas - and agriculture its main emitter, responsible for about 86% of national N₂O emissions.
These emissions result from soil fertilization using nitrogen fertilizers - whether mineral-based or from livestock effluent. (2)
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A priority sector in reducing GHG emissions
The National Low Carbon Strategy aims to cut agricultural emissions by 46% by 2050. One of its main levers is the development of agroecology.
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Soil health plays a pivotal role in addressing both biodiversity loss and climate change mitigation: healthy soils foster biodiversity, as they provide the necessary environment for numerous species to thrive; while well-maintained soils act as carbon sinks.
Agricultural practices are crucial for maintaining soil health. Practices such as crop rotation, reduced tillage, and organic farming techniques can help prevent soil degradation and improve its structure. Biostimulant can be part of that farming itinerary.
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A priority sector in preserving soil health
The National Biodiversity strategy identifies the preservation and restoration of soil as a key lever for the biodiversity.
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