Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether she made an assessment of the potential impact of the authorisation of the emergency use of neonicotinoids for a third year on global pesticide reduction targets.

We remain absolutely committed to the targets agreed in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. UK diplomatic leadership was critical to agreeing the framework and we will continue to champion the framework’s implementation

We welcome target 7, which talks about “reducing the overall risk from pesticides and highly hazardous chemicals by at least half including through integrated pest management, based on science, taking into account food security and livelihoods”. IPM lies at the heart of the UK's approach to minimise the environmental impact of pesticides, both domestically and internationally and this is set out in our 25 Year Environment Plan.

We have strict restrictions that do not permit the general use of neonicotinoids to protect crops. The decision to allow use on sugar beet crops was based on an assessment and balancing of environmental risks and benefits to food production and livelihoods. The emergency authorisation we have issued is subject to strict conditions to mitigate risks to pollinators and the wider environment.

We expect the steps needed to achieve Target 7 to vary by country, according to their current usage levels, and the agricultural and regulatory context. The pesticide specific indicator for Target 7 will be developed further over the coming year, informed by a group of independent global specialists.