The EU Pollinators Initiative, adopted in 2018 to address the alarming decline of wild pollinating insects, is a useful tool, but efforts need to be stepped up to tackle the different drivers of decline of insects crucial for ecosystem health, according to the report on the implementation of the initiative published on 27 May by the European Commission.
According to the institution, this will include addressing habitat loss in agricultural landscapes and the effects of pesticides.
A report by the European Court of Auditors in July 2020 pointed to the weakness of EU measures and the failure to protect wild pollinators (see EUROPE 12524/4).
Among the positive points of the initiative’s results, the Commission cites some 30 actions implemented to: - improve knowledge of pollinators decline; - address the causes of their decline; - involve the public and promote cooperation.
An EU-wide monitoring programme for pollinator species will soon be deployed in the field. The Commission has also launched Pollinator Park - an interactive digital tool to raise public awareness.
The Commission will shortly carry out a consultation to gather further views and input from experts, stakeholders and citizens, with a view to possibly improving the initiative.
See the report: https://bit.ly/3fo9kvs (Aminata Niang)