Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what scientific research is being undertaken to identify natural alternatives to chemical pesticides; and whether this will be a priority for funding after Brexit.

The government firmly believes that both agricultural production and the environment can benefit if growers have a range of options for crop protection and the skills and knowledge to select the best approach. Alternatives to chemical pesticides such as cultivation techniques, natural predators and biopesticides can play an important part in this and can contribute to minimising the use of chemical pesticides.

A variety of bodies are carrying out research and knowledge transfer for alternative approaches and innovation in agricultural technology. Publicly funded research in this area includes work funded by Innovate UK through mechanisms including the Agri-Tech Catalyst, which helps develop innovative solutions to challenges in crop production.

This issue was discussed at the most recent Agriculture Council in Brussels and the Minister of State set out the UK stance on promoting Integrated Pest Management and the case for supporting research and developent into alternative synthetic chemistry.