{"id":17743,"date":"2018-06-05T08:19:46","date_gmt":"2018-06-05T06:19:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sonnenseite.com\/environment\/pollinating-insects-commission-proposes-actions-to-stop-their-decline.html"},"modified":"2018-06-05T08:19:46","modified_gmt":"2018-06-05T06:19:46","slug":"pollinating-insects-commission-proposes-actions-to-stop-their-decline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sonnenseite.com\/en\/environment\/pollinating-insects-commission-proposes-actions-to-stop-their-decline\/","title":{"rendered":"Pollinating insects: Commission proposes actions to stop their decline"},"content":{"rendered":"

One in ten pollinating insects is on the verge of extinction, and a third of bee and butterfly species is declining. This is why today the Commission is proposing the first-ever EU initiative to address the decline of wild pollinating insects.<\/p>\n

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The new measures include a new indicator to improve monitoring and data, and better coordination of EU action across different sectors and policies to address the social and economic implications of the decline in pollinating insects.<\/p>\n

Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Karmenu Vella<\/strong> said: “Pollinators are an excellent ecosystem health check. If they are not doing well, we can be sure biodiversity in general is not doing well and this is bad news. We are already doing a lot to stop the decline of pollinators in the <\/em>EU Natura 2000 network<\/em><\/a> of protected areas. But with the worrying status of pollinating insects, particularly of bees and butterflies, it is clear we have to step up our game. This is what this initiative is all about.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan <\/strong>said: “Our farmers’ future and the wellbeing of our rural communities depend on healthy ecosystems with rich biodiversity. The tireless work of insect pollinators enables that richness. While their work comes for free, it is invaluable in maintaining the flow of goods and services from nature that underpin our existence. We need to act urgently to stop their decline.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Vytenis Andriukaitis <\/strong>said: “Following the Commission’s proposal, the EU recently banned the outdoor use of three pesticides known as neonicotinoids that have been proven to be harmful for both honeybees and wild bees. Today’s initiative <\/em>further demonstrates our utmost <\/em>commitment to protect pollinators through a broad range of actions.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Pollination is one of the key processes in nature which enables the reproduction of plants. In the EU alone, four in five crop and wild flower species depend on insect pollination. Pollinators are mainly insects, in particular bees and hoverflies, but also butterflies, moths, some beetles and other flying insects. Almost €15 billion of the EU’s annual agricultural output is directly attributed to insect pollinators. Besides productivity, pollinators support the variety of food sources enabling diverse and nutrient-rich diet. Action is necessary to safeguard biodiversity, agriculture and food security.<\/p>\n

The Commission is proposing:<\/p>\n