Committees

Insect decline and UK food security

Inquiry

Insect numbers are difficult to quantify however recent research suggests that in the UK flying insects have declined by 60% in the past 20 years. Insects provide pivotal roles for UK food security including pollination and pest or weed regulation. There are also concerns that pest species may be increasing with negative impacts on crop yields.

The Committee aims to build understanding of the role of insects in the UK food system and the economic impact of their decline and the associated risk to UK food security. It seeks to examine the evidence base for insect abundance in the UK, current drivers of insect loss and the Government’s interventions to halt or reverse declines.

This inquiry is no longer accepting evidence

The deadline for submissions was Friday 28 April 2023.

Reports, special reports and government responses

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Second Report - Insect decline and UK food security
Inquiry Insect decline and UK food security
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Oral evidence transcripts

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29 November 2023
Inquiry Insect decline and UK food security
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Oral Evidence
18 October 2023
Inquiry Insect decline and UK food security
Witnesses Professor Linda Field (Professor Emirita at Rothamsted Research), and Professor Toby Bruce (Professor of Insect Chemical Ecology at Keele University)
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Oral Evidence
12 July 2023
Inquiry Insect decline and UK food security
Witnesses Professor Lynn Dicks (Lead of the Agroecology Research Group at University of Cambridge), and Craig Bennett (Chief Executive Officer at The Wildlife Trusts)
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Oral Evidence

Written evidence

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Dr Harry Siviter and Professor Jane Memmott (Dr Harry Siviter and Professor Jane Memmott at Buglife - The Invertebrate Conservation Trust) (INS0050)
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Rebecca Pow MP (Minister for Nature at Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs) (INS0049)
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Dr Claire Carvell (Senior Ecologist at UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology) (INS0045)
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Other publications

No other publications published.

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  • Email: commonssitc@parliament.uk
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  • Address: Science, Innovation and Technology Committee, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA