EU Pollinator Initiative

We welcome the decision of the European Commission to launch an initiative to tackle the rapid decline of pollinators in Europe. Invertebrates are at the very heart of our ecosystems and their precipitous decline presents a crisis for agriculture and the health of the environment across the EU. Resolute action is needed to halt the decline of pollinators and the pollination service they provide. The Pollinators Initiative must not shy away from addressing the real drivers and pressures behind pollinator decline, including intensive agriculture, pesticide use and land-use change. This initiative must introduce measurable changes benefiting pollinators and biodiversity at a large scale by protecting and restoring pollinators’ habitats. Only then can we ensure the long-term sustainability of pollination in Europe.