Global Decline in Insect Life

That the Parliament notes the recent publication in the journal, Biological Conservation, of a review of 73 studies on insect declines from around the world; expresses grave concern at the findings that 41% of insect species are declining and a third are at risk of extinction; considers that the drivers for these declines are habitat loss due to urban growth and intensive agriculture, pollution, including pesticides and fertilisers, biological factors such as pathogens and non-native invasive species, and climate change; notes that insect species play a critical role in sustaining the ecosystem, including through pollination and maintaining soil health; agrees with the insect conservation charity, Buglife, that "it is becoming increasingly obvious our planet's ecology is breaking... allowing the slow eradication of insect life to continue is not a rational option", and calls on the Scottish Government to take action to halt and reverse insect declines in Scotland.