But they’re not the only pesticides that pose a threat to UK wildlife. In fact, many slug pellets used in gardens around Britain contain an active ingredient called ‘metaldehyde’ (a chemical also used widely by farmers) which can cause huge damage if it's not applied carefully. It can enter our waterways and into our drinking water. 

The pellets can also be washed into drains or ditches, find their way into our rivers, and harm animals much larger than slugs. Like microplastics, this toxic chemical can be passed up the food chain, harming predators like hedgehogs or birds.

solution:
To use natural alternatives such as copper strips to deter slugs – or look to create an environment that encourages predators like slow-worms or hedgehogs.

On a larger scale, we’ve been looking at the UK government’s plans for a new environmental watchdog. We’ve joined calls for the new watchdog to have strong jaws and big teeth – and real targets for it to enforce, to ensure nature is protected once we leave the EU.

Our rivers not only help make the British landscape so picturesque and vibrant, they’re also a vital source of fresh water for people, industry, farming and wildlife.

But our rivers have suffered from ‘over-abstraction’ – taking too much water out – as well as pollution from fertilisers and pesticides. Less than a fifth of England’s rivers are healthy, which poses a big threat to amazing UK wildlife such as water voles and kingfishers.

Work to improve farming practices and reduce agricultural pollution. Working with farmers in Norfolk, Kent and Greater London, help to deliver methods that will reduce the pollution currently harming chalk streams.