Do We Really remember the Policies to the Policymakers?

When it comes to protecting pollinators, the law is both a shield and a battlefield. Recent years have shown us how quickly deregulation trends can undermine years of progress, whether it’s the relaxation of rules on pesticide reduction or questionable policy decisions that directly harm beekeeping businesses.

In these moments, the question arises: do policymakers really understand the impact of their decisions on pollinators, biodiversity, and beekeeping? Or is it up to organisations like BeeLife to constantly remind and, in a way, teach them what these “policies” mean in practice?

To explore this, we spoke with Filippo Traviglia, lawyer and founding partner of Fabrique Avvocati Associati - Turin (Italy), who advises European organisations in the agri-food sector and has been collaborating with BeeLife to strengthen our legal voice in Brussels and beyond.

BeeLife: From a legal perspective, what is the key challenge and opportunity in building a framework for pollinator protection?

Filippo Traviglia: The primary challenge lies in the fragmentation of existing legislation regarding pollinators. This lack of cohesion makes it difficult to address the issue comprehensively.

BeeLife: What are the consequences of this fragmentation?

Filippo Traviglia: The fragmented legal landscape creates significant difficulties in making coherent and effective decisions, as there is no unified approach or consistency across different jurisdictions.

BeeLife: What solutions or recommendations would you propose?

Filippo Traviglia: One potential solution would be to establish better coordination between various legal frameworks. By creating a cohesive and unified regulatory framework for pollinator protection, we can ensure a more organized and efficient approach. This would also be highly beneficial for stakeholders in the beekeeping industry, as it would provide clearer guidelines and a more consistent legal environment.

Why BeeLife Chose Legal Expertise

These questions remind us that laws and regulations are not abstract texts - they shape the daily lives of beekeepers, the survival of pollinators, and ultimately our food systems and public health.

For this reason, BeeLife decided to establish a strong partnership with Fabrique Avvocati Associati thanks to its specialisation in the intersection of environmental law, agri-food regulation, and EU policymaking. This collaboration ensures that:

• the interests of pollinators and beekeepers are represented with solid legal arguments,

• harmful regulatory loopholes are identified and challenged,

• sustainable farming and biodiversity are defended not only with science, but also with law. Because in the end, protecting pollinators means protecting ourselves and the legal arena is one of the most crucial battlegrounds.