It’s taken almost decade for UK Government to pull together a UK Pesticides National Action Plan (NAP) – but today, drastically declining insect populations have been given a glimmer of hope.

The Plan, which was published at midnight on 21 March 2025, outlines support for farmers, growers and other land managers to use fewer pesticides. It says it wants to help growers embrace “nature-friendly farming techniques and alternative measures to reduce potential harm from pesticides by 10% by 2030, while controlling pests and pesticide resistance effectively”.

The news follows the Government banning bee-killing neonics for emergency use in the UK, in January 2025. The government rejected an application from the National Farmers’ Union and British Sugar for an emergency authorisation of neonicotinoid Cruiser SB.

Garden Organic’s response to the National Action Plan

“NAP was originally promised in 2018, so it’s well overdue – but we’re pleased there’s finally some progress on reducing harmful pesticides that do so much damage to our environment,” says our CEO Fiona Taylor.

“While there could be more ambition in the Plan, for the first time in a decade it brings us a step closer to healthier ecosystems and organic practices where pollinators, such as bees, and vital invertebrates are allowed to flourish.

“But further pressure is needed for a complete ban. In December 2025, the licence for weed killer glyphosate is up for renewal – and we’ll be working hard, alongside our partners, to make sure this is rejected too.”

A spokesperson from the Pesticide Collaboration, of which Garden Organic is a member, said: “We’re thrilled that the Government has today announced the UK’s first ever pesticide reduction target of 10%. While we had hoped for a higher percentage, the adoption of a target that considers both how much pesticide is used and how toxic it is, gives a clear signal that reducing pesticide-related harms to the environment is now being taken seriously.

“We’re also pleased there are commitments to increasing the uptake of non-chemical alternatives by farmers - and urge the government to provide them with the support they need. While there are no commitments to phasing out urban pesticide use, we have been assured by the government this area of work will be progressed separately.

“We look forward to working with Minister Emma Hardy to build on the promises made in today’s National Action Plan and increase the ambition of these significant policy shifts.”

Insect decline and pesticides

'Pesticide' is the umbrella term for any substance which is designed to control a pest or disease (and includes herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, rodenticides, defoliants and desiccants). Their harmful effects contaminate soil, water and air, damaging ecosystems and wildlife - and human health. Their overuse in recent years has also led to pesticide resistance, making ‘pest’ insects harder to control.

Pesticides, habitat loss/intensive farming and climate change are the toxic cocktail that is decimating insect populations. Research by Buglife shows flying insect populations have declined by as much as 60% in the last 20 years. And other stark stats demonstrate:

A 50% reduction in butterfly numbers. Wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation declared a national ‘Butterfly Emergency’ in 2024, after its annual Big Butterfly Count logged the lowest number of butterflies in the 14-year history of the count.
1 in 10 of Europe’s wild bee species face extinction, says Friends of the Earth, and bumblebee numbers declined by almost a quarter (22.5%) in 2024, compared to the 2010-2023 average, according to The Bumblebee Conservation Trust.
Invertebrate abundance has also declined by 37% from 1970 to 2019, says the Game and Wildlife Trust.

To read the full document click here – and find out what you can do in your own garden to support wildlife here.