Survey: Israel heaviest user of pesticides

Israel uses more pesticides in its farm fields than any other Western country, a survey of agricultural practices by its Central Bureau of Statistics found.

The survey found Israel spread more pesticides between 2008 and 2010 than any other country in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, which includes 34 countries, The Jerusalem Post reported Thursday.

Israeli farmers on average use 3.5 tons of pesticides per 100 hectares (240 acres), while the next-highest number belongs to Japan at 1.55 tons per 100 hectares.

The lowest user of pesticides in the OECD, Sweden, uses 88 pounds per 240 acres.

Between 6,600 and 7,300 tons of active ingredient pesticides were purchased or imported by Israel annually from 2008 to 2010, the survey found.

In response to the survey, Israel's Agriculture Ministry stressed monitoring the presence of pesticide residues in fruits and vegetables is performed from the field to packaging rooms, and that all produce samples are tested before making their way to supermarkets.