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As demand for food and competition for land rises, it is vital that crop losses are limited. Chemical protection has provided effective control of crop losses in the recent past; alongside chemical fertilisers and improved crop genetics, it has helped to increase crop yields dramatically over the last 60 years. However , there is now a need to develop complementary alternatives, and researchers from the Rural Economy and Land Use Programme have been exploring the potential of – and barriers to – alternative pest management approaches. “Alternatives to chemical pesticides are needed because overuse of them leads to pesticide resistance and affects biodiversity and water quality.” says Dr Alastair Balley. “Heightened EU regulations are also leading to the withdrawal of many pesticide products. Hence , complementary approaches are required to reduce use and preserve the efficacy of those valuable pesticides that are still available to sustain food production systems.”