In a Europe-wide study in eight West and East European countries, researchers found important negative effects of agricultural intensification on wild plant, carabid and bird species diversity and on the potential for biological pest control, as estimated from the number of aphids taken by predators. Of the 13 components of intensification which was measured, use of insecticides and fungicides had consistent negative effects on biodiversity.
In France for instance, despite reduction plans have been in place since 2008, these reductions today still remain unfulfilled5. But on the other hand, farmers could actually reduce their pesticide use by 30-40% without reducing their yield6.
The study from Geiger et al mentions a very important point: "insecticides also reduced the biological control potential". Now it is time that farmers start managing rather than killing pests and applying integrated pest management which has been mandatory since January 2014 and which means that farmers should apply good agronomic practices, monitor the fields and if needed apply non chemicals alternatives, only applying pesticides as a last resort.