The use of unsustainable levels of chemical fertilizers and plant protection chemicals has resulted in a steady decline in soil and crop productivity the world over. Soil biology has undergone irreversible damage, coupled with a high concentration of toxic chemical residues in plant tissues and human bodies. Agricultural practices must evolve to sustainably meet the growing global demand for food without irreversibly damaging soil. Microbial biocontrol agents have tremendous potential to bring sustainability to agriculture in a way that is safe for the environment. Biopesticides do not kill non-target insects, and biosafety is ensured because biopesticides act as antidotes and do not lead to chemical contamination in the soil. This article is part of a larger study conducted in Ukraine by researchers at the Université de Montréal with the support of Mitacs and Earth Alive Clean Technologies. The responses of farmers who use biofertilizers (“user farmers”) and those who do not (“non-user farmers”), along with the responses of manufacturers or suppliers of biofertilizers, and research and development (R&D) scientists are captured to demonstrate the advantages of applying microbial biopesticides to field crops. Participants reported a 15-30% increase in yields and crop production after the application of biopesticides. With the use of biopesticides, farmers cultivated better quality fruits, grains, and tubers with a longer shelf life. Moreover, while the risk of crop loss remains high (60-70%) with chemically grown crops, this risk is reduced to 33% on average if crops are grown using biopesticides. The findings indicate that a large proportion of farmers would prefer to use biopesticides if they are effective and high quality products. In this context, the quality and effectiveness of products is therefore very important. Despite their benefits to soil, human health, and ecosystems, biopesticides face significant challenges and competition vis-à-vis synthetic pesticides for a variety of reasons. Therefore, the development of biopesticides must overcome the problems of poor quality products, short shelf life, delayed action, high market costs, and legal/registration issues.

For several decades suicidology could not be discussed in the Ukraine, and so this is one of the first papers on suicide in this country. After a brief discussion of the epidemiology of suicide in the Ukraine, the authors present the results of research investigations on caregivers' knowledge about suicide, as well as an investigation of attitudes towards suicide. The principal conclusions are: 1. The frequency of suicide in the Ukraine is relatively high (24 per 100,000). The rate of suicide is much higher in rural areas than in the cities. The frequency of completed suicide is not the same in different regions of the country. 2. Sociopsychological processes in the post-totalitarian society have resulted in the development of the "Soviet syndrome" in the population. 3. Suicidal behavior in the post-totalitarian society exists in a special social, psychological, and cultural context that creates obstacles for its effective prevention. 4. Research on the level of suicide knowledge revealed a high prevalence of mythical ideas, even in those groups of the population or professional groups that should be directly involved in education and participate in suicide prevention. 5. An assessment of the attitude of the respondents toward suicide revealed an ambivalence of their feelings and attitudes that could have a negative influence on their practical involvement in helping to deal with suicidal clients.

Abstract‘Biologicals’ (biofertilizers and biopesticides) are microbial products that increase agricultural productivity, while also contributing to soil health. These microbial products are relatively safe for human consumption. However, the legal registration of microbial products and the operation of businesses in this sector face barriers that affect the expansion and widespread use of these green products. A study of these barriers was conducted by researchers at the Université de Montréal, with the financial support of Mitacs and Earth Alive Clean Technologies, using participa-tory methods of semi-structured interviews, structured interviews and informal discussions with the manufacturers, suppliers and traders of biologicals, as well as the government officers dealing with biologicals in Ukraine. This article analyses the data collected from the participants concerning obstacles to the registration, licensing, and proliferation of microbial products.

This article is devoted to the study of instituting principles for the reproduction (restoration) of natural resources and complexes in the context of ensuring and protecting fundamental human rights. The paper analyses these principles and proposes dividing them into four groups according to their functional purpose: system- forming, organisational, preventive, and that of economic direction. The principle of legal provision for the ecosystem approach to the reproduction (restoration) of natural resources and complexes and the ‘net gain’ principle are of particular interest in the system for the reproduction (restoration) of natural resources and complexes. These two principles should be considered the most important ones and be the basis for the following: organising and implementing measures for the reproduction (restoration) of natural resources and complexes; recovering and improving the quality of ecosystems; preventing and eliminating harmful economic impacts on the environment and human health; ensuring the sustainable functioning of ecosystems by indissolubly linking and balancing all environmental objects. It is established that instituting principles for the reproduction (restoration) of natural resources and complexes are universal regulations of positive law, generally influencing the formation of state environmental policy and law-making, as well as litigation in Ukraine that is concerns environmental law principles.