The use of chemicals in agriculture began to spread from the second half of the twentieth century. In terms of quality and safety for health and the environment, there has been a constant and progressive improvement of the same which has been reflected in an increase in production and a parallel lowering of the risk for the environment and for the health of citizens. .
The so-called "green revolution" in the last 50 years has seen the entry and exit from the market of numerous products, both for reasons related to the expiry of the patent and because their safety was questioned. And precisely on the safety of some products there have been numerous statements and subsequent denials by the scientific community, but media communication has not always been able to follow the debate and transfer the correct conclusions to the final consumer.
Fake news, word of mouth, hearsay, personal opinions, sensitivity towards sustainability issues have often influenced and made opaque the perception of the safety of chemical products, especially if related to the world of crops. The proof of this is that a recent survey requested by the European health authorities on the risk perceived by consumers revealed a ranking denied by scientific evidence. In fact, in the risk scale, the interviewees indicated chemical contaminants (pesticides) in first place, while the statistics showed that the main risk factor for humans remains malnutrition.
From these premises the panel "Chemistry in agriculture: is correct information possible?", Which was attended by the professor Aldo Ferrero (University of Turin), Maria Lodovica Gullino (Agroinnova journalist and researcher at the University of Turin), Ivan Valmori (Director of Agronotizie) e Pietro Paganini (Competere.eu), moderated by the journalist Massimo Agostini.
At the panel, the speakers agreed on the fact that those who do scientific communication must both diversify sources and avoid bombastic and alarmist headlines, always reminding the consumer that every agro-drug that arrives on the market has passed ten studies on risk assessment. years.
