This special issue of Environmental Science and Pollution Research highlights selected papers presented at the 43rd congress organized by the French Group of Pesticide Research (BGroupe Francais des Pesticides,^ GFP) which was held in Albi, from 29 to 31 May 2013, and officially hosted by Champollion University, France. The congress was held in the beautiful settings of the Episcopal city with its Cathedral and the Toulouse Lautrec museum, recently listed as UNESCO world heritage. Albi is a prefecture city of the Midi-Pyrenees region, one of the most agricultural regions of France. The GFP met the French scientific community involved in research into phytosanitary compounds. The conferences took place in French and addressed numerous issues dealing with the use of pesticides, their utility to agriculture, and their consequences for the environment and human health. Discussions included their mode of action, analysis and transfer through the environment and along food chains, and finally their elimination. Occurring annually, this congress is a place of rich exchanges not only between scientists but also with technical institutes, which are becoming increasingly present. These congresses are an opportunity for researchers to present their work and to compare their findings with others in a constructive atmosphere. Both the contributors and the audience were French researchers from the academic and institutional world, francophone researchers from foreign universities, and researchers from plant protection industries. Representatives from various French agencies, ministries, and agencies in charge of development were one of the audiences: agronomists and technicians also participated in this meeting. Particular encouragement was given to the active participation of young researchers (MSc or PhD students). The main objectives of this conference were to review current knowledge of the French-speaking scientific community in all areas concerning pesticides, to feed national debate, to allow the emergence of new paths of research, and to foster collaborations between research organizations, institutions, and industrial environments. Responsible editor: Philippe Garrigues