Did you know Socrates’ killer lives in field margins? 

Did you know Socrates’ killer lives in field margins? 

Nature is a brilliant chemist - and sometimes a lethal one. Local farmers know and work hard to keep their harvests free from risks! Take for example jimson weed: this innocent looking plant hides alkaloids that can cause hallucinations, paralysis, even death. Or hemlock, a highly poisonous plant, used to end Socrates’ life, growing alongside European field margins.

Both plants’ toxins are 100% natural, but if harvested with crops, they would contaminate food and feed. That is why famers perform integrated weed control, including use of herbicides, to also keep natural hazards in check. Furthermore, this is why food manufacturers rigorously check quality before harvests are processed.

In agriculture and beyond, natural origin does not guarantee safety. Risks must be assessed based on scientific evidence, not origin or sentiment.