The UK government’s National Action Plan (NAP) aims to cut pesticide-related harm by 10% by 2030.
The plan was launched on March 21 by all four regional UK governments and focuses on farmers and land managers adopting more sustainable pest management practices.
Focus on sustainable pesticide use
The NAP sets out how the UK plans to both reduce pesticide-related harm to the environment and human health, and help farmers to better manage pests and pesticide resistance. It encourages the voluntary use of nature-based solutions and alternative pest control methods to meet the 10% reduction target by 2030.
Pesticide resistance, climate change, and invasive species all bring substantial challenges to food security. Shifting to more sustainable pest management practices could improve crop health and ecosystems by protecting pollinators such as bees.
Environment Minister Emma Hardy said the government is committed to restoring the natural environment and support agricultural productivity. “That is why we have banned bee-killing pesticides in England and today we’re going further to support farmers and growers to adopt sustainable practices,” she said.
Wales’ deputy first minister for climate change and rural affairs, Huw Irranca-Davies, spoke of broader cooperation. “The new plan encourages changes across all sectors of society so that we can achieve this, together,” he said.
Scottish Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie said, “Our goal is to minimise the risks and impact of pesticides to human health and the environment, while ensuring that our land managers have effective tools to manage pests and pesticide resistance.”
Andrew Muir, Northern Ireland’s Agriculture, Environment, and Rural Affairs Minister, said his department will continue to work with other UK governments to meet the reduction target.
Key goals of the National Action Plan
The NAP sets out three objectives to guide pesticide use and pest management strategies:
- Set clear targets and monitor impact: The NAP introduces a national reduction target focused on minimising pesticides’ environmental impact rather than simply cutting volumes. Progress will be tracked using a Pesticide Load Indicator, which measures the impact of pesticide use with 20 indicators.
- Encourage adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM): IPM promotes using a combination of techniques to manage pests. This includes creating habitats for natural predators, rotating crops to break pest and disease cycles, and using bio-pesticides or precision application methods like drones.
- Strengthen compliance and promote best practices: NAP outlines measures to strengthen enforcement and compliance. This includes providing training, guidance, and increased inspections to ensure pesticides are used safely and responsibly.
- Investing in agricultural innovation: Support research and development to improve sustainable pest management. Through the Farming Innovation Programme, Defra has committed £150 million to industry-led agricultural research and development. This includes projects on AI-driven pest management tools and precision application technology.
The NAP also intends to improve bio-pesticide availability by reducing manufacturing barriers and supporting sustainable pest control innovation.
Protecting pollinators and ecosystems
The NAP follows broader government action to protect biodiversity. Ministers have already banned three bee-harming neonicotinoids – clothianidin, imidacloprid, and thiamethoxam – in England. The plan emphasises the importance of protecting pollinators by promoting sustainable pesticide use and improving biodiversity.
The government is also funding projects into sustainable pest management, including AI-enabled tools for pest monitoring and control. An Integrated Pest Management (IPM) guidance page has been published to provide farmers with practical information on planning and decision-making.
Next steps
The UK government will monitor progress toward the 10% reduction target and provide ongoing support to farmers through research, training, and access to new pest management technologies.
