Development of Modern Plant Protection Products: Why and How

The future success of plant protection business depends to a great extent on the acceptance of the new generation of plant protection agents by both the market and the public. Accordingly, the complex development process in Ciba-Geigy fully reflects the requirements of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and the principle of maximal carefulness for farmers (users), consumers, and the environment. Some basic facts on the necessity of plant protection measures, on IPM, biological and chemical pest control, possible contributions of biotechnology, the position of Ciba-Geigy in plant protection, and stages of the development of a new plant protection product from the discovery up to a successful market introduction are briefly presented and commented on.