We did it: use of neonics denied for 2025!
Thanks to your incredible support, the use of neonicotinoids has been refused for 2025! Thank you to the 42,601 supporters of the Butterfly Emergency who helped make this happen.
Our CEO Julie Williams has a message to all of our supporters, watch below.
The story so far
Wondering where all the butterflies have gone? You're not alone.
In 2024, we saw butterfly numbers fall across the UK, with 80% of butterflies having declined since the 1970s and a third of moth numbers having fallen in that same period. These startling figures required urgent action, so Butterfly Conservation declared a Butterfly Emergency to ring the alarm.
In response to our emergency declaration, over 42,000 nature lovers from across the country signed our open letter which was delivered to Secretary of State for the Environment, Farming and Rural Affairs Steve Reed, asking for urgent action for butterflies.

We called on the Government to:
- Declare a nature emergency
- Implement an immediate and permanent ban on butterfly-harming neonicotinoid pesticides, without exceptions.
Read our full letter to Steve Reed MP and Defra.
How you helped in the fight against neonics
Butterfly Conservation received a response to the letter you signed in October 2024, where Defra assured us that they were committed to ‘changing existing policies to ban their use’.
Read the full response from Mary Creagh CBE MP and Defra here
Your response has made the UK Government sit up and listen – since our declaration Defra and Environment Minister Emma Hardy have announced that the licence for the Cruiser SB neonicotinoid has not been granted for use for 2025. This latest announcement marks a turning point, as it is the first time in five years it has not been granted.
What does this mean for farmers? What butterflies and moths need is nature-friendly farming. The Government must now act to support farmers to bring butterflies back to their land, for the benefit of people and planet. We simply cannot wait any longer for this to happen - so it’s time for action.
The Butterfly Emergency action plan for 2025
However, the Butterfly Emergency is not over.
Defra have not yet committed to a permanent ban on emergency use of these harmful pesticides and, with butterflies in crisis, it is vital that the Government also declare a nature emergency and take further action to support our declining species.
We are incredibly proud of what our community of butterfly supporters have achieved so far, but we need all of you to help keep up the momentum we have built together and continue to remove all barriers to nature’s recovery.
Together, we will…
- Keep up the noise by pushing back against pesticide use alongside you and your fellow 42,600 (and counting) campaigners.
- Fight for the truth by continuing to fund and share crucial research and citizen science so policy and new laws are inspired by real facts.
- Help butterflies and moths on the ground thrive by continuing to create Wild Spaces in our cities and bringing vital habitats back to life across the country.

Keep the fight for butterflies flying forward
We urgently need to raise funds to be able to carry out our 2025 action plan. Thank you for being part of the movement to protect our precious butterflies and moths. With your support, we can make a difference.

Read our Manifesto
Find out what else we’re campaigning for in our Manifesto for Butterflies, Moths and the Environment.

Be part of the movement
Sign up to our campaign updates to be the first to know about ways you can get involved with campaigning for Butterfly Conservation. Keep an eye out for our upcoming 2025 action!