Buglife welcomes a new UK National Action Plan on Pesticides which aims for a future of more sustainable pesticide use, and a reduction in risk to invertebrates, but there is plenty of work still to be done.
The UK’s four governments have announced a commitment to reducing the environmental risks posed by pesticides by 10% over the next five years as part of a new National Action Plan (NAP). While this is a welcome step towards addressing pesticide-related harm, greater ambition and stronger commitments will be necessary to fully protect biodiversity.
The plan encourages farmers, growers, and land managers to adopt more nature-friendly pest management techniques. If effectively implemented, this could reduce reliance on chemical pesticides and promote healthier ecosystems. However, voluntary measures alone may not drive the scale of change needed and these changes must only be the start of a journey to reducing pesticide use and harm across all sectors. Stronger incentives and clearer regulatory pathways would help ensure that sustainable practices become standard rather than optional.
The NAP introduces a UK-wide target of reducing pesticide-related environmental harm by 10% by 2030, monitored using a Pesticide Load Indicator. Measuring impact rather than just volume is a sensible approach and shows that environmental harm from pesticides is being taken seriously.
A core feature of the NAP is the promotion of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), which prioritises non-chemical approaches before resorting to pesticides. This includes creating habitats for natural predators, rotating crops, and using innovative biopesticides. IPM has the potential to significantly reduce pesticide use while maintaining productivity, but its success will depend on meaningful support for farmers and clear guidance to encourage widespread adoption.
A call for continued action
The National Action Plan represents progress in reducing pesticide risk, but more needs to be done. A 10% reduction is a step in the right direction, yet stronger commitments, greater incentives for sustainable farming, and more ambitious long-term targets will be necessary to ensure real environmental benefits. The NAP goes someway to addressing some of Buglife’s “Manifesto for Bugs” asks on strengthening pesticide regulation, but gaps remain in wider use of pesticides and, crucially, updating the pesticide approval process. We urge the Government to use the NAP as a foundation to build on, with continued action to promote nature-friendly agriculture, update regulation and safeguard ecosystems for future generations.
“The long-overdue publication of the National Action Plan on the Sustainable Use of Pesticides is a positive and necessary step forward. We welcome the introduction of a reduction target, which marks important progress in protecting invertebrates and the wider environment from pesticide harm. However, for the Governments pesticide policy to be truly effective, it must address other significant exposure pathways, such as domestic applications and veterinary medicines. The NAP must be the foundation of a broader strategy to reduce pesticide risks in line with the UK’s international commitment to a 50% reduction by 2030. We look forward to working with the Government to further strengthen pesticide policy, enhance regulation, and ensure that all ingredients in pesticides are properly assessed, safeguarding bees, pollinators, and other vital invertebrates for the future.” Craig Macadam, Buglife Director of Conservation.
The full UK Pesticides National Action Plan can be found on the Government website: www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-pesticides-national-action-plan-2025
Main Image Credit: Pastoral rural field with wild flowers ©️ cta88
