Signal About 69% of UK land used for agriculture

Summary

The report states that roughly 69% of UK land is used for farming. As a result, declines in pollinators and in helpful invertebrates that keep crop pests in check, such as beetles, wasps and spiders, can lower crop yields. The report is especially concerned about nutrient-rich fruit and vegetables, which help protect people against non-communicable disease. The continued spraying of non-selective pesticides and herbicides is already reducing plant and invertebrate numbers. The loss of pollinators and pest-controlling species, together with weaker agrobiodiversity, threatens food security. Crop diversity fell by 75% over the twentieth century.