The Government is clear that it is right to minimise the use of pesticides so that they are only applied when necessary. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) lies at the heart of our approach to minimising the environmental impact of pesticides and is a key tool for businesses facing the challenges of pesticide resistance and changing pest pressures due to climate change. To support this, we have introduced new paid IPM actions within the Sustainable Farming Incentive scheme this year. Increased support for IPM approaches will also be a feature of the upcoming National Action Plan for the Sustainable Use of pesticides. The EU withdrew approval for the outdoor use of three neonicotinoid pesticides (clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam) from December 2018. The UK supported this move based on the growing weight of scientific evidence that these pesticides are harmful to bees and other pollinators. The Government’s position has not changed. Pesticides legislation allows emergency authorisations to be granted for pesticides including neonicotinoids for limited and controlled use in special circumstances where it appears necessary because of a danger that cannot be contained by any other reasonable means.