Recommendations & Conclusions
16 items
1
Conclusion
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
During this Inquiry it has become evident that substantial knowledge gaps persist in our understanding of insect populations. Despite the UK being a leader in this field of research, there remains a scarcity of comprehensive and comparable data which poses a significant challenge in accurately assessing the extent and underlying …
Government response. Defra agrees that long-term monitoring is crucial for understanding insect populations, noting that strengthening the evidence base is a priority of the National Pollinator Strategy. The response outlines existing initiatives like the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS) and the UK …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
2
Conclusion
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
The lack of long-term monitoring programmes for many insect species, and inconsistent data collection methods, hampers the ability to discern trends over time.
Government response. Defra agrees on the importance of long-term monitoring and states it is a priority in the National Pollinator Strategy, detailing ongoing initiatives like the UK Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (PoMS) and the UK Butterfly Monitoring Scheme (UKBMS) which address this concern. …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
3
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
The Government and its agencies like UKRI should produce a clear strategy for sustaining long-term insect monitoring research. This involves not only maintaining existing projects but also initiating new studies that can address insect data gaps. Funders should commit to the longer term funding which is needed for insect monitoring …
Government response. The government agrees on the importance of long-term monitoring and states that the existing National Pollinator Strategy already includes commitments to strengthen the evidence base. It details established long-term monitoring programmes like PoMS and UKBMS, which incorporate volunteer data, thereby …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
4
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
Effective communication of the reality of insect decline needs to be accompanied by communication of actions that can address it. A fatalistic approach risks reducing the chances of changes being made to policy, behaviour and practices that can make a real difference to stopping and reversing insect decline. Empowering both …
Government response. The government agrees on the importance of communicating insect decline and details several existing initiatives, such as Bees' Needs Week, Champions Awards, and the Pollinator Monitoring and Research Partnership, that already focus on public engagement and communicating actionable steps.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
5
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
The Government and its agencies should consider ways in which to communicate not only the reality of insect decline but also the attainable steps that can be taken to tackle it. (Paragraph 42) The importance of insects for UK Food Security
Government response. The government agrees on the essential role of communication and states it is already working to effectively communicate about insect decline. It cites existing initiatives like Bees’ Needs Week, Bees’ Needs Champions Awards, the Pollinator Advisory Steering Group, and annual …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
8
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
The United Kingdom relies significantly on the global production of various horticultural crops, including fruits and salad vegetables. These imported foods may be subject to vulnerabilities, such as wars, which can see significant price increases. Approximately 50% of the food consumed in the UK comes from overseas. Therefore, it is …
Government response. The government fully acknowledges the importance of international collaboration and states that the UK already advocates for global efforts to address insect decline and food security in various international forums. It provides examples of existing international agreements and frameworks, such …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
11
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
Raising awareness of the importance of various insect species must be nurtured early to avoid the aversion that many people have to insects. The scarcity of experts, both professional and amateur, underscores the importance of cultivating a greater public passion for entomology, starting from an early age. The commendable efforts …
Government response. Defra agrees that communicating the reality of insect decline is essential for tackling it and they are already working to address and communicate effectively about the decline in insect populations including Bees' Needs Week and Bees' Needs Champions Awards.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
12
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
In its response to this report, the Government should set out how it intends to facilitate nationwide access to external teaching resources offered by public bodies. This access, available through online platforms and educational visits, can significantly enhance the educational experience. The Government should also outline details of how it …
Government response. The government points to the existing Oak National Academy for educational resources and the National Careers Service for career advice, including relevant role profiles. It also states it will publish a Green Jobs Plan in 2024 and that IfATE is …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
13
Conclusion
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
The existing biology and core sciences GCSE curriculum inadequately addresses crucial aspects of insect study and focuses on a limited selection of ecological roles. We applaud the introduction of the new Natural History GCSE, which aims to not only encompass scientific knowledge but also lay the foundations of skills necessary …
Government response. The government agrees with the conclusion, stating that the Department for Education is currently developing the subject content for the new Natural History GCSE, with a public consultation planned shortly, and aims for it to support progression in nature-related careers.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
14
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
The Government should ensure that it promotes access to the new Natural History GCSE when it is launched, with particular focus on schools that may not currently have easy access to the natural environment.
Government response. The government agrees with the recommendation, stating the Department for Education is developing the Natural History GCSE content and actively engaging with stakeholders to encourage schools to deliver it, with the intention of appealing to students from diverse backgrounds.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
18
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
Evidence from this Inquiry supports the conclusions from the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee that the impact of Environment Land Management Schemes (ELMS) should be monitored and adapted as needed throughout its implementation, to gain the benefit of an iterative approach to policy development. ELMS should also show that …
Government response. The government states that it already has an established monitoring and evaluation strategy for the Farming and Countryside Programme schemes, including ELMS, which covers species populations and is subject to ongoing adaptation and regular reporting on Gov.uk.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
19
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
The Government, in response to this report, should outline its plans to establish a monitoring and evaluation programme for ELMS. Such a programme should incorporate mechanisms to feed data on specific outcomes—such as insect abundance— back into long-term monitoring programmes. The Government should publish annual reports detailing: Insect decline and …
Government response. The government states it already has an established monitoring and evaluation strategy for ELMS, which includes monitoring insect abundance, and that it already publishes regular updates and reports on Gov.uk.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
20
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
ELMS uptake levels, including a breakdown for each standard within the Sustainable Farming Incentive and how the schemes are combined by participants; a) implemented actions following scheme uptake; b) the influence of farmers’ feedback on ELMS development; and c) the environmental impacts of the schemes including impact on beneficial insect …
Government response. Defra states it already posts regular updates on ELMS monitoring and evaluation, including impacts on species and scheme uptake, and will continue to publish these reports on Gov.uk as part of an established strategy.
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
21
Conclusion
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is an important component of sustainable crop protection; however, it requires more knowledge than traditional pesticide applications. To enhance the successful implementation of IPM, it is imperative to adopt innovative approaches and new tools, such as integrating resistant plant varieties, the use of biopesticides or new …
Government response. Defra agrees on the importance of IPM and commits to outlining policies to increase IPM uptake in the forthcoming National Action Plan, commissioning research projects, providing £103 million through the Farming Innovation Programme, and incorporating paid IPM actions into the …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
22
Recommendation
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
We support the work of the Voluntary Initiative in disseminating advice to farmers on implementing Integrated Pest Management strategies. However, there is scope to extend the scheme to incorporate a peer-to-peer advisory network to provide farmers with access to a range of advice for developing and implementing their own strategies. …
Government response. Defra agrees with the importance of IPM and commits to setting out policies for increased uptake in the National Action Plan, working with the Voluntary Initiative, and funding research and development of new IPM technologies. The government is also incorporating …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology
25
Conclusion
Second Report - Insect decline and UK f…
Accepted
Witnesses to our Inquiry estimate that approximately half of the Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs) are not in a good state and are failing to conserve invertebrate biodiversity. Protected sites do not exist in isolation and are therefore influenced by the quality of nature in the surrounding environment. Whilst …
Government response. The government states that SSSI condition assessments already capture offsite pressures and highlights interim targets from the Environmental Improvement Plan for SSSIs by 2028, while also developing new tools like Protected Site Strategies and Local Nature Recovery Strategies to address …
Department for Science, Innovation and Technology