Insects are fascinating, beautiful, and vitally important; without them ecosystems would grind to a halt. Dave Goulson will describe the evidence that we are in the midst of a period of rapid decline in insect abundance, and the consequences if we allow this to continue. He will then consider the role that veterinary medicines may be playing in this decline. In particular, he will focus on the impact of parasiticides applied to companion animals, and the research from his lab at Sussex University which shows that spot-on flea treatments are significant contributors to river pollution. Solutions will be discussed.