Half of EU farmland is at risk of pollination deficits

The European Commission (EC) has given a course to the European Citizens' Initiative (ICE) "Save the bees and farmers!: Towards bee-friendly agriculture for a healthy environment". In this regard, the EC welcomes this initiative and recognizes its importance, especially as the interrelated crises of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss are increasingly challenging for Europe's agriculture and food security. According to it, one in three species of bees, butterflies and flies is in decline in the European Union (EU), while 80% of flowering plant species, both cultivated and wild, depend on animal pollination. In addition, half of the agricultural land in the EU is already at risk of pollination deficits. The threat to the existence of pollinators is also a threat to food security and life on the planet. “The success of this citizens' initiative is a clear sign of the broad public support for action in favor of pollinators, biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. In ...