The European Commission outlines a roadmap to halt pollinator decline by 2030
The European Commission presented a set of recommendations to EU countries on Tuesday aimed at stopping the decline of pollinators by 2030. The notice warns that declines in bee, butterfly, and wasp populations threaten biodiversity and agricultural productivity across the union.
“Small changes can create big differences in the world. When it comes to pollinators, these tiny insects are the future of nature and long term food security,” stated European Environment Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius at a press briefing.
The Commission highlighted an assessment by the EU Court of Auditors and shared a document with member states that seeks to improve protection and mitigate drivers of decline, building on the initial message released in May 2021. It noted that EU actions in 2020 to shield these insects fell short of expectations.
In Brussels, a multi‑faceted plan centers on wild pollinators, particularly among the 2,000 registered bee species within the EU. The proposals aim to strengthen species protection and habitat preservation, restore habitats in agricultural landscapes, and reduce the impacts of pesticide use.
Bees and other pollinators are vital to many crops, and a sizeable share of EU agriculture depends on their services. Half of the crops reliant on pollination show signs of deficit, according to the European Commission. “Reducing and replacing chemical pesticides is essential,” remarked Frans Timmermans, Vice President for the Green Deal.
The Commission notes that the EU already operates one of the world’s strictest pesticide approval systems and emphasizes that pollinators contribute to the reproduction of crops and wild plants, with an economic impact estimated at several billion euros annually. Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski highlighted that declines in pollinator health pose a direct risk to agricultural productivity.
When harmful effects on pollinators are identified, the Commission pledges to take legislative action that may restrict or prohibit the use of the implicated substances.
Brussels is pursuing this issue through existing tools such as the Habitats and Birds Directives, the Common Agricultural Policy, and policies related to adaptation, research, and innovation, while aiming to strengthen and broaden these efforts.
The Commission urges member states to create more pollinator-friendly habitats in urban areas and adapt them to the challenges of climate change, invasive species, and light pollution.
World food security increasingly depends on pollinators, so Brussels urges capitals to raise public awareness and expand knowledge about the factors driving pollinator declines. A key goal is to create a map of pollination zones in the EU by 2025.
The European Commission plans to present a further pollination package specifically targeting agriculture in response to the citizen initiative Save the Bees and Farmers.
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Note: the environment department will share further communications in due course without personal contact details here.