Pollution Horticulture
Challenges to commercial Horticulture due to pollution in the uk
A major challenge to the horticulture industry is pollution and the negative effects that may arise because of it.
As the population grows it is apparent that pollution is unavoidable to some degree, this will undoubtedly have a impact on commercial horticulture. There are three main types of pollution that can have a negative effect on horticulture;
Air pollution water pollution soil pollution
the first challenge that commercial horticulture faces due to pollution is not pollution itself but a separate issue that has arisen because of it, the necessity to reduce it. Due to this laws are being passed such as; The Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) and The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (COPR).(Health and Safety executive, 2009). These acts both affect how plants are grown regarding the use of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers and other chemicals used widely within the industry. these acts are being implicated to reduce the amount of pollution created by such chemicals. Some people believe that the use of these chemicals may lead to polluted soil which can also promote polluted water, this happens when rain water runs off soil that is polluted into rivers, reservoir and other water supplies(Bollage and Bollag,2010). This is known as leaching(Hester, R.E and Harrison, R.M, 1996). The disadvantage of not using chemicals is that more organic methods are being used. whilst organically grown fruit and vegetables for instance are seen to be a healthier option by many(Fleming, 2007). it does make their production more expensive. For example a crop grown using organic methods rather than using herbicides will require weeding by hand, bringing up the cost of labour. This is also a financial risk to the industry especially with the current economic climate(Hale, 2010). Organically grown plants are less guaranteed having a yield of 10-20% less on average than non
A major challenge to the horticulture industry is pollution and the negative effects that may arise because of it.
As the population grows it is apparent that pollution is unavoidable to some degree, this will undoubtedly have a impact on commercial horticulture. There are three main types of pollution that can have a negative effect on horticulture;
Air pollution water pollution soil pollution
the first challenge that commercial horticulture faces due to pollution is not pollution itself but a separate issue that has arisen because of it, the necessity to reduce it. Due to this laws are being passed such as; The Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) and The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (COPR).(Health and Safety executive, 2009). These acts both affect how plants are grown regarding the use of pesticides, herbicides, chemical fertilizers and other chemicals used widely within the industry. these acts are being implicated to reduce the amount of pollution created by such chemicals. Some people believe that the use of these chemicals may lead to polluted soil which can also promote polluted water, this happens when rain water runs off soil that is polluted into rivers, reservoir and other water supplies(Bollage and Bollag,2010). This is known as leaching(Hester, R.E and Harrison, R.M, 1996). The disadvantage of not using chemicals is that more organic methods are being used. whilst organically grown fruit and vegetables for instance are seen to be a healthier option by many(Fleming, 2007). it does make their production more expensive. For example a crop grown using organic methods rather than using herbicides will require weeding by hand, bringing up the cost of labour. This is also a financial risk to the industry especially with the current economic climate(Hale, 2010). Organically grown plants are less guaranteed having a yield of 10-20% less on average than non
References: Bollag, b and Bollag J. (2010) Soil pollution [www document] http://www.pollutionissues.com/Re-Sy/Soil-Pollution.html accessed 15/10/2010. Fleming, N. (2007) Organic IS healthier, say food scientists. [www document] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1546698/Organic-IS-healthier-say-food-scientists.html accessed 17/10/2010. Hale, B. (2010) Shoppers shun organic food as recession forces belt-tightening. [www document] http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1265390/Shoppers-shun-organic-food- recession-forces-belt-tightening.html accessed 16/10/2010. Health and Safety Executive. The Food and Environment Protection Act 1985 (FEPA) and The Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986 (COPR). [www document] http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/approvals.asp?id=329 accessed 15/10/2010. Hester, R.E and Harrison, R.M. (1996) Agricultural chemicals and the environment. Cambridge: The royal society of chemistry. Houghton, J. (2010) Global Pollution and Climate Change. [www document] http://www.jri.org.uk/brief/climatechange.html accessed 18/10/2010. Jerry Knox et al. (2007) Climate change impacts on water for horticulture. [www document, PDF]http://www.ukia.org/eabooklets/EA_Climate%20Change%20Impacts%20Horticulture_Final.pdf accessed 22/10/10 Lavelle, M. (2009) Landscapers must adapt as climate changes, warns lecturer, HorticultureWeek, 3rd april 2009. Leifert, C. (2010) why is organic food so exspensive. [www document] http://www.ivillage.co.uk/food/qas/0,,161170_179846,00.html accessed 16/10/2010. Met Office. (2010) London Temperature [www document] http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/climate/uk/stationdata/heathrowdata.txt accessed 20/10/2010