We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

It warned there were still major gaps in the understanding of what this combination of pesticides is doing to land, wildlife and food chains. Katie-Jo Luxton, the RSPB’s director for conservation said: “We have sleepwalked into pesticides being the norm in terms of the way we manage land, believing every problem can be solved with chemicals.  “The combination of lack of research, inadequate risk assessment and weak regulation has created a toxic situation where an unchecked cocktail of different chemicals are regularly applied across our countryside, without regard to harm on wildlife and the wider natural environment.

“What we do know is extremely worrying, but clearly is just the very tip of an iceberg of understanding about the impacts of pesticides on our wildlife; above land, below it and in our rivers and seas.”

The RSPB said the governments should commit to pesticide reduction targets across the UK and increased investment in development of non-chemical alternatives.

Ms Luxton said:  “Many innovative farmers are finding ways to work with nature to reduce their reliance on pesticides while still producing healthy and profitable food. 

“With the right support from Government, many more farmers can be encouraged to do the same.  

“With farmers help, we can halt wildlife decline and keep common species common and avoid extinction.”

Source: Read Full Article