ANDRE Leu calls it the regeneration revolution.
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A revolution that promotes food, farming and land use systems that regenerate and stabilise climate systems, the health of the planet and people, communities, culture and local economies.
Leu has written two books on the subject, Poisoning our Children and the Myths of Safe Pesticides.
He is also the Director of Regeneration International.
Mr Leu was the guest speaker at the Knowledge-based Agri-Culture - “Understanding Ecosystem Services to Escape Chemical Ag” seminar at the Huon Hotel in Wodonga on Thursday.
There were 130 farmers in attendance.
"We are not being prescriptive and trying to tell farmers you must do this, you must do that," Mr Leu said.
"This is an opportunity for all farmers and what we are offering is a toolbox that is based on good science and equally important, on proven farming practices.
"Any farmer can do this and it doesn't need a radical change in the system.
"But he can choose which method suits his style of farming best.
"We are trying to make change easy and accessible at a rate a farmer is comfortable with.
"We are not saying you have to buy this product or have to be certified to this stand. We are not ramming it down farmers' throats.
"We are just saying have a look at these practices that we know work and see if you can apply it to your farm.
"And I have found most farmers have got the attitude of 'I'll give it a go and see what happens'."
Mr Leu said he wrote The Myths of Safe Pesticides “because every time we have a campaign to get a pesticide banned, we’re told, ‘Where’s your data? Where’s your science that it’s dangerous?’”
The book consolidates the science and outlines five large myths about pesticides.
"I've written extensively on the subject and I'd argue the biggest issue with pesticides is human health," he said.
"There is multiple diseases and the World Health Organisation is calling it the epidemic of non-contagious chronic diseases.
"What we have is a whole range of diseases such as cancer, heart disease, arthritis, autoimmune diseases that is the major cause of mortality around the world.
"These aren't diseases you can catch by sitting next to someone.
"These are due to lifestyle and environment factors.
"We have scientific evidence of regular exposure to pesticides are one of the significant contributors to this global epidemic."
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