The role of governments in crop protection research and development

The paper opens by reviewing the rationale for government involvement in th e plant protection sector, discussing the externalities from "market failur e" in the form of health and environmental risks, destruction of predator p opulations and pest resurgence. It stresses the need for governments to int roduce policies that embrace an IPM approach, but in this context deplores the growing polarisation between the environmental lobby and the pesticide industry. After briefly reviewing the distributional effects of government interventions, it reviews the methods of such interventions through both no n-pesticide and pesticide policies. The paper then discusses the role of go vernments at the international level through agreements, guidelines and the policies of aid agencies, with examples of the successful regional program mes of the cassava mealy bug and screw-worm control. Brief case studies the n follow of the nature and effects of government policies in both developed (Sweden, UK and USA) and developing countries (Costa Rica, Indonesia and E thiopia). The closing summary of the issues involved ends with a special pl ea for developed country governments to take a stronger lead in advocating and supporting the use of IPM in developing countries.