The Wildlife Trusts are agreed that this decision should be reversed. The banning of neonicotinoids (a class of insecticide) in 2018 was a significant step towards halting the drastic ongoing decline in invertebrate populations across the UK. Their use is contrary to the commitments made by the government to invest in nature’s recovery and tackle the biodiversity crisis.
Recent evidence suggests we have already lost 50% or more of our insects since 1970. This is primarily due to loss of habitats and the use of pesticides, herbicides and the wider use of harmful chemicals. It is vital that we all play our part in halting this decline - whether that is not using such things in our gardens and in everyday life, providing homes for insects in our urban green spaces, or farmers managing land in a way that supports our struggling ecosystems and wildlife, keeps our soils in good health and produces food as well as supporting their livelihoods.
