Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what research his Department has funded to investigate alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides; and if he will provide a list of that research.
Defra does not fund research into the development of individual insecticides; this would fall to the agrochemical sector. A number of public bodies fund broader research into pest control chemicals, biological controls and cultural methods. This includes funding from Innovate UK through mechanisms including the Agri-Tech Catalyst, which helps develop innovative solutions to challenges in crop production. Any Defra research into alternatives to current chemical pesticides can be found at: http://randd.defra.gov.uk.