Chemical crop protection research. Methods and challenges

Chemical crop protection, today a well-established technology to support sustain- able production of food, feed, and fiber, will continue to play an important role in agribusi- ness in spite of the emergence of novel biotechnological solutions. Scientific progress in chemistry, biology, and molecular biology has revolutionized the way of searching for new agrochemicals over the past decade. Requirements, primarily in terms of safety to humans and the environment, have also changed. The search for and the development of novel agro- chemicals with novel modes of action, improved safety profiles, and adapted to the changing requirement of the food and feed production chain are more than ever the challenge.