Source · Select Committees · Science, Innovation and Technology Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Acknowledged
Paragraph: 115
Land use change, management, and pesticide usage are major factors in UK insect decline.
Conclusion
Witnesses to this Inquiry have told us that within the UK, land use change, land management practices and pesticide usage are amongst the largest contributing factors to insect decline. Consequently, the largest influence on achieving the biodiversity targets for insect species outlined in the 2021 Environment Act, could lie in the implementation of agri-environmental policies.
Government Response Summary
The government implicitly agrees by detailing ongoing efforts like reviewing the Pollinator Strategy, including invertebrate provisions in ELMS with premium payments for high-priority actions, and delivering Environment Act targets for species abundance and extinction, all of which address the impact of land use and management.
Paragraph Reference:
115
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Defra agrees that ecologically important invertebrates including pollinators, are a group worthy of provision, and government resources are currently focused on reviewing the Pollinator Strategy’s latest Action Plan. Working with the Pollinator Advisory Steering Group, a Defra-led review is underway to both assess the progress made on actions in the current plan and to look at what the key priorities should be for pollinator protection beyond the end of the current strategy and action plan in 2024. Provisions for invertebrates will be included in our new Environmental Land Management schemes. Farmers and land managers will play an essential role in halting the decline in species, including invertebrates, by 2030. The schemes will offer a range of support for more regenerative approaches to farming, and creation or restoration of habitats in appropriate areas. In Defra’s Agricultural Transition Plan update of January this year premium payments were announced for 21 high priority actions that will achieve greater environmental benefits, supporting habitats and species. For example, this included payment uplifts for creating scrub and open habitat mosaic, managing species-rich floodplain meadows, and managing riparian habitats. Delivery of the Environment Act targets for species abundance and species extinction will also deliver benefits for a range of invertebrates. The indicator for the species abundance target includes 1,177 species across a range of species groups which, between them, depend on the majority of habitats found in England. Improvements to these habitats will benefit all the species that depend on them, including those not included in the indicator.