The high level of dependence of farming on chemical pesticides is a modern phenomenon, reflecting the range of products which have become availiable to farmers over the last 50 years. In 1944, 63 pesticides were in use, rising to 819 by 1976. Currently, over 3,400 products are approved under FEPA (The Food and Environment Protection Act 1985) for use in the UK. These include herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides and animal repellents.