Are pesticides making farmers sick? What we know so far

Switzerland is investigating whether exposure to pesticides increases the risk of Parkinson’s disease among farmers. While Parkinson’s is recognised as an occupational disease for farmers abroad. Switzerland, however, lacks key data to draw firm conclusions. In Germany, farmers who have used pesticides for more than 100 days during their working lives and later develop Parkinson’s disease are entitled to financial compensation. The disease is classified there as an occupational illness, as it is in Italy and France.