The Government should adopt an evidence-based strategy in formulating pesticide legislation, promoting the development of new plant pesticides with heightened target specificity. This approach would aim to mitigate the dual risks of pest resistance development and adverse off-target effects on beneficial insects. Any alterations to the regulatory framework should include ongoing monitoring of the impact on non- target species in field environments, where approved active substances are employed. Moreover, there should be an expansion in the range of non-target species for which data is collected to assess a chemical’s impact prior to regulatory approval. The Government should outline in its response to this Report, how it intends to support the development, regulation and practical application of pesticide alternatives, including, but not exclusive, to biopesticides, hormones and mRNA technologies. The Government should set out how it intends to adapt the current regulatory systems to accommodate innovative pesticide alternatives so that regulatory approval for these technologies can, where possible, be expedited. (Paragraph 192) 52 Insect decline and UK food security