Second Report - Insect decline and UK food security

The government agrees on the importance of invertebrates and states that provisions will be included in new Environmental Land Management schemes and existing Environment Act targets will deliver benefits. However, it does not commit to creating a new, dedicated 'National Invertebrate Strategy' with an implementation plan and accountability targets as recommended, instead focusing on current reviews of the Pollinator Strategy and existing frameworks.

Defra states it already supports recommendations from the 'Proposals for Terrestrial Environmental Monitoring' report and is working with the regulator to identify improvements for the Pesticide Usage Survey, but does not explicitly outline how the proposals will be incorporated into the National Action Plan.

The government acknowledges the recommendation, reiterating its priority for pesticide safety and its existing science-based regulatory regime, including ongoing monitoring through the H4 indicator program. While it notes advances in targeted application technologies, it does not outline specific new commitments or expedited processes for developing or regulating innovative pesticide alternatives like biopesticides or mRNA technologies.

The government agrees on the importance of diverse invertebrates, noting current efforts like reviewing the Pollinator Strategy, including invertebrate provisions in ELMS, and delivering Environment Act targets that will benefit various invertebrate groups.

The government acknowledges the importance of inclusivity in green sectors and citizen science for biodiversity targets, citing initiatives like the Green Jobs Delivery Group, the Natural History GCSE, the National Education Nature Park, and £2.5m funding to connect disadvantaged young people to nature.

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.

Defra acknowledges the committee's concern regarding the exclusion of numerous invertebrate species from biodiversity metrics, explaining that taxonomic coverage is limited by data availability, and states it is continuing to assess how to improve indicators and is preparing new Red Lists for various groups.

The government acknowledges the complexity and delay in publishing the National Action Plan for Sustainable Pesticide Use, but states they are working on it and have not waited to implement other measures, such as paid IPM actions within the SFI scheme and funding for pest management research.

Defra acknowledges the lack of full understanding of pesticide impact, stating it funds projects to monitor effects on wildlife, supports recommendations for terrestrial environmental monitoring, funds honey sample analysis, and will continue monitoring pesticides while working to improve the Pesticide Usage Survey.

The government acknowledges the issues with pesticide use in amenity and amateur sectors, noting it is for local authorities to decide on weed control, and states it is commissioning research into integrated pest management for amenity use and considering options to improve data collection for both sectors.

The government acknowledges the conclusion, restating its priority for pesticide safety and existing science-based regulatory processes, including ongoing monitoring. It highlights advances in targeted application technologies but does not commit to streamlining the regulatory system or distinguishing between conventional and alternative plant protection products to reduce barriers to innovation.