General · 21 June 2026
English farmers cut slug pesticide use by half
Slug damage costs UK farmers almost £44 million a year, but new prediction maps are helping cut pesticide use. The "Slimers" project, funded by Defra, the environment department, recruited farmers to monitor slugs and develop the tool. Test growers have halved the amount of slug pellets they use, saving money and reducing environmental harm.
Reported by Guardian · How we write briefs