‍What’s happening? Wildlife is coming under increasing pressure from pesticide use, with insects suffering a 42.9% increase in “total applied toxicity” between 2013 and 2019, according to a study published in the journal Science. Soil organisms also faced a 30.8% rise, although risks declined for aquatic plants and land vertebrates. The analysis, covering 625 pesticides, found that applied toxicity fell in Europe and China due to tighter regulations, but surged in other major markets including the US, Brazil and India. The findings indicate the world is failing to meet the UN’s 2022 target to halve pesticide risks by 2030, with only Chile currently on track. (The Guardian)

‍

Why does this matter? Pesticides – insecticides, herbicides and fungicides – play a critical role in food security by increasing crop yields and boosting food quality. However, it has been estimated that under 15% of pesticides reach the targeted pest, with the remainder entering soil water and air. Consequently, these residues can poison non-target species, promote resistance in target pests and cause biodiversity loss. They are also linked to health serious concerns, such as certain cancers, respiratory issues, neurodegenerative conditions, cardiovascular disease, infertility and developmental delays in children.

‍

Scale of the crisis –  Research published last year also confirmed that pesticide use is major contributor to the biodiversity crisis. An international team analysed more than 1,700 lab and field studies investigating the impact of 471 different types of pesticides used for agricultural, commercial and domestic purposes. They found over 800 land and water species were suffering from extensive negative effects, ranging from growth speed, reproductive success to foraging ability and attracting mates. Often, these factors result in premature death and the reduction of populations.

‍

Pollination at risk – Certain insects, including wild bees, hoverflies, butterflies and moths, act as wild pollinators, which are crucial for the health of eco systems and food security. For example, approximately 80% of EU crops – including tomatoes, apples, almonds – and wildflower species depend on these creatures. Yet, almost 40% of hoverfly species, 20% of butterflies and 9% of bees are facing extinction. Excessive use of pesticides is one of the key drivers of their decline, alongside habitat loss, intensive forestry, invasive species, climate change and extreme weather. This leads to a reduction in availability of healthy foods for human consumption, with an estimated 500,000 premature deaths occurring globally as a result.

‍

Feedback loop – Another recent study indicates that pesticides are severely harming beneficial soil organisms such as nematodes and mycorrhizal fungi that also underpin healthy ecosystems. The team analysed 373 soil samples taken from 26 European countries and found 70% contained pesticide residues, affecting not just agricultural fields but also forests and grasslands via spray drift. These chemicals emerged as the second-most influential factor shaping soil biodiversity behind pH and texture. As these organisms drive nutrient cycling, their decline forces dependence on additional fertilisers to maintain crop yields, creating a damaging feedback loop.

‍

Breaking dependence – It is clear that the world needs to move away from reliance on pesticides to mitigate these potentially devastating risks. Alternatives do exist with integrated pest management being of particular importance. The holistic approach involves taking preventative action from the outset to avoid or reduce pest, diseases and weeds, maximising use of naturally occurring pest controls, close monitoring to determine if extra intervention is needed and, if so, selecting controls that will not harm beneficial species.

‍

Challenges in uptake – Notably, this method has been mandatory for professional pesticide users in the EU since 2014, although many farmers still experience barriers in implementing it. IPMWORKS, an EU-funded Horizon 2020 project, makes a number of recommendations to address these challenges, such as support for R&D, improved knowledge sharing, financial support and expanded peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Such suggestions would be applicable beyond the EU.

‍

Bottom line – The escalating toxicity of pesticides poses a dual threat to both global biodiversity and the long-term stability of our food systems, particularly as the world falls behind on critical UN safety targets. Transitioning toward holistic strategies such as IPM is no longer optional but essential to protect the pollinators and soil health upon which human life depends.