👉 Download the letter (PDF)  The beekeeping community launches its position on New Genomic Techniques in Plant Breeding, ahead of the forthcoming discussions of European policymakers: EU Member States, negotiators from the European Parliament, and the Commission. While BeeLife recognises the importance of innovation in agriculture, the beekeepers are deeply concerned that deregulation of GMOs could create further legal uncertainty and risks for pollinators and ecosystems. Insects and beekeepers are already facing multiple pressures: climate change, environmental pollution, habitat loss, and unfair competition in the honey market. Adding further uncertainties through deregulation would only exacerbate these challenges. In this position paper, BeeLife highlights the need for: Mandatory risk assessment  for all NGT plants, Clear labelling and traceability obligations  throughout the entire supply chain, Strict limits on patents  to protect biodiversity and pollinator food resources, Compliance with the Cartagena Protocol  and the precautionary principle  enshrined in EU law. This position letter has been shared with the Permanent Representations of EU Member States in Brussels, submitted to the Members of the European Parliament responsible for the dossier, and forwarded to the European Commission. 👉 Download the letter (PDF)

Download the press release On 16 July 2025, the European Commission presented its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, totalling nearly €2 trillion  (equivalent to approximately 1.26% of the EU’s gross national income  on average). This long-term investment framework aims to equip the European Union with the financial tools necessary to meet its strategic goals for the next decade, ensuring an independent, prosperous, secure and resilient  society and economy. A New Structure, but Reduced Ambition The proposed CAP framework introduces a significant change: the merging of the two traditional funding pillars into a single financial envelope under the National and Regional Partnership (NRP) structure. While this intends to offer more flexibility to Member States, it also results in a 20% reduction of the CAP budget , which could severely limit the resources available for environmental and biodiversity-related interventions. The proposal allocates €294 billion  for farmer support, a measure that offers some financial stability but represents a notable decrease compared to the current CAP budget of €386.6 billion. Additionally, the requirement for supplementary national co-financing by Member States raises concerns about potential disparities in support levels across the  EU. The removal of a dedicated CAP budget and governance structure  would reduce visibility, fragment strategic planning, and risk creating a patchwork of diverging national priorities. This shift may re-nationalise EU agricultural policy , undermine our common market, and complicate long-term investment planning, precisely when a resilient and sustainable food system is urgently needed .In addition, while the proposal highlights the need for a risk management policy , the operation and accessibility of the €6.3 billion agricultural crisis reserve  remain unclear—raising concerns about the Union's ability to respond effectively to emergencies such as climate-related shocks or market disruptions. In the context of developing a more responsible and sustainable agriculture , the replacement of conditionality with a new, yet insufficiently defined, "Farm Stewardship" system raises serious concerns. This shift risks undermining established environmental and climate safeguards, as voluntary incentives cannot replace the effectiveness of clear, enforceable standards. The proposal presented by the European Commission will now enter the trilogue process, where it will be examined and negotiated by the European Parliament and the Council.  Beekeeping Sector The new CAP framework enables potential interventions in the beekeeping sector, including advisory   services , environmental   actions , certification   systems , and collective   storage, under a broader interpretation of eligible support measures. However, the actual accessibility of these interventions for beekeepers remains uncertain and will heavily depend on how each Member State designs and implements its National and Regional Partnership Plan. A key concern is how much funding the European Commission and Member States will actually allocate to beekeeping programmes, and whether any European-level criteria will be established to ensure proportional support across countries.  While the range of eligible measures supported in the current CAP proposal remains for the future, the new proposal includes the possibility of introducing coupled income support for apiculture products (Article 11 of Regulation 2025/0241 (COD), although it is left to the discretion of Member States and depends on criteria still to be defined. Access to National Crisis Envelopes also remains at the discretion of individual Member States. Today, the EU supports the beekeeping sector with 60 million euros, with co-funding from the national Member States. Given the tragic situation of the beekeeping sector and the positive externalities to nature and all other producing sectors, we hope the EU support for the CAP 2028-2034 and co-funding from Member States will be maintained at the same levels, if not increased.  BeeLife’s Position: Keep Pollinators Central in the CAP BeeLife expresses deep regret  that the Commission’s proposal fails to secure a meaningful EU budget to meet public expectations on climate, biodiversity and sustainable agricultural practices in general . Noa Simon , Scientific Director of BeeLife, says:  “We will continue to push for pollinator protection to be at the core of EU agri-food policies backed by science and supported with clear, binding instruments.” BeeLife calls on the European Parliament and Council to amend the CAP proposal to: Ensure that taxpayers' money is spent only on those farmers aligned with biodiversity, resilient agricultural landscapes and pesticide reduction goals, and that this money is ring-fenced in the EU’s MFF. Ensure that MSs provide similar criteria to establish fair access to CAP support for small-scale, organic farmers/beekeepers and those not organic, but working with agro-ecological practices. Regarding the new sectorial interventions dedicated to protein crops, the melliferous and polliniferous potential of crop varieties need to be considered, rewarding farmers who contribute to pollinator-friendly practices.  In the Annex of proposal for the Regulation for the implementation of the support to the CAP (Part C: Rules on protective practices), dedicated measures for pollinator-friendly practices should be added. Including potentially useful measures from Article 31 dedicated to various sectors into Article. 55 Regulation (EU) 2021/2115  dedicated to the beekeeping sector (former CMO). Regarding the particularity of the beekeeping sector, and the pressing need for generational renewal, an age limit of 45 years old for “young farmers” in beekeeping could be proposed. The European beekeepers are ready to “preserve or increase the number of beehives in the Union and to enhance product quality” as stipulated but they need support and coherent policies. Bee colonies, same as other insect pollinators, cannot survive in a poor and contaminated landscape.

Ahead of the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi this October (9 – 13 October 2025), BeeLife has raised an urgent appeal to IUCN members: support Motion 133 and establish a moratorium on the genetic engineering of wild species . Beekeepers warn that proposals to release genetically engineered plants and animals into natural ecosystems could destabilise biodiversity, undermine pollinators’ survival, and jeopardize the integrity of beekeeping products such as honey and pollen. “We have already seen the devastating consequences of poorly assessed technologies, like DDT and neonicotinoids damage, that lingers for decades,” our open letter states. Once genetically modified organisms are released into the wild, their spread cannot be controlled or reversed. Pollinators may be among the first to suffer, with unknown impacts on bee health and behavior, while also becoming potential carriers of engineered genes. The beekeeping community urges IUCN to show leadership and apply the precautionary principle: pause the release of genetically engineered organisms into the wild until their ecological, ethical, and legal implications are fully understood. 👉 Click here to read the full letter

As the European Commission proposed a renewed trade agreement with Ukraine, allowing up to 35,000 tons of duty-free honey imports annually, questions are emerging about how this decision aligns with the EU’s broader commitments to supporting European beekeeping, food safety, and the EU’s internal market priorities. While the agreement is part of a broader effort to support the Ukrainian economy and is aligned with the Commission's will to facilitate Ukraine’s EU integration, its potential implications for the honey sector merit closer examination.In response to these concerns, BeeLife has actively supported its members network by providing a position letter and an alert, encouraging them to engage with their respective national ministries to raise awareness and promote a coordinated response. Help Ukrainian Beekeepers. Protect EU Honey The central contradiction is stark: how can the EU reconcile its stated commitment to protecting sensitive agricultural sectors, such as beekeeping, with a policy that accelerates the inflow of potentially untraceable, low-cost honey? The new quota represents a 583% increase over the 6,000-ton duty-free allowance introduced in the 2016 provisional agreement. This dramatic leap has been met with concern, particularly given the already precarious state of EU beekeeping , which suffers from rising costs, declining sales and unfair market competition. As reported in The European Honey Market Report : “ The European honey market faces a crisis (...). In 2022, the EU produced only 60% of its honey needs (...). Many imported honey fails to meet EU quality standards, often due to mislabeling and added sugar syrups”. ( Download of full document here ). This flood of imported honey not only drives down European prices but also casts serious doubt on the product’s authenticity and origin. The absence of an effective and fully transparent traceability system means that consumers might be exposed to honey of uncertain quality and origin. Fraud Risks and Market Imbalance The evidence of systemic vulnerability is mounting. The first half of 2024 saw an 85% spike in Ukrainian honey imports, with some Member States reporting increases of over 200%. With 54,000 tons imported in that six-month window, exceeding even pre-war levels, the credibility of these figures and the authenticity of the products is questionable. This dynamic risks triggering long-term damage to European beekeeping ; the sector is already under considerable pressure , with an ageing beekeeping population and growing difficulty in coping with multiple challenges. There is a tangible risk of further decline in a profession that provides essential environmental, cultural and societal services (pollination, safeguard of the ecological functions, attention to biodiversity prosperity and ecosystem). Traceability Must Come First Without a robust and enforceable traceability system to verify the origin of imported honey, expanding import quotas makes little economic or ethical sense. The EU must ensure that all honey entering the Union under preferential conditions is transparently tracked from hive to shelf. Anything less leaves the door wide open to fraud, and it’s worth asking what strategic rationale supports further tariff concessions in a context where the internal market already shows signs of imbalance and limited oversight. Internal Production Ignored, External Imports Encouraged The Ukraine deal is not an isolated case. Similar trade agreements with Mercosur and Mexico add additional duty-free quotas of 45,000 and 35,000 tons, respectively. While Manuka honey is a niche of its own and a market itself (characterised with significantly high prices), what about honey coming from Vietnam? Or India? And the many other sources quietly shaping a market that is increasingly difficult to regulate or control? What’s also missing is a reliable aggregation of up-to-date data on honey production volumes across the EU. In the absence of regularly consolidated figures, decision-making risks relying on outdated or fragmented information. The European Honey Market Report ,  offers one of the few comprehensive insights into the current state of the honey market, highlighting the growing challenges faced by the sector. Time for Strategic Clarity The EU must act decisively to safeguard domestic beekeeping. Duty-free quotas should only be implemented when traceability is guaranteed. A general safeguard clause must be introduced—and made operational—for honey and other sensitive products. Most importantly, trade agreements must be evaluated not only on geopolitical expediency but on their coherence with the Union’s internal market integrity and sustainability goals. Otherwise, Europe risks undermining the same sectors it claims to protect, one jar at a time.

European agriculture is undergoing a moment of reckoning. Caught between rising environmental challenges - climate change, pollution, biodiversity loss and economic pressures such as non-EU market dependency - and unfair global competition, farmers across the continent are demanding dignity, fairness, and a seat at the decision-making table. The widespread farmers' protests in early 2024 marked a pivotal moment. These demonstrations triggered the European Commission’s decision to revise key targets in the Green Deal. A report by the European Fact-Checking Standards Network, Fertile Ground for Disinformation , sheds light on how misinformation distorted the farmers’ movement, obscuring the genuine needs of agricultural communities. In reality, farmers were calling for: (1) practical solutions, (2) fair pricing for their produce and (3) greater support from government authorities. EU Response to Farmers and New Global Challenges: the Agri-Food Vision In May and June 2025, BeeLife took part in  two major European Commission events  focused on the future of agriculture and food policy. These gatherings aimed to address farmers’ concerns and outline a new vision that balances sustainability, competitiveness, and inclusivity. The Conference on the Vision for Agriculture and Food,  held on 8 May in Brussels, brought together over 1,000 participants, comprising 40% Policymakers, 20% NGOs, 10% Farmers , as well as researchers, journalists, and other stakeholders in the food sector. Key points from the Commission included: Generation Renewal:  Incentives to support young people in farming. Regulatory Simplification:  Making policies more accessible and actionable. Fairer Trade Rules:  Tighter standards on imports, especially regarding pesticides and animal welfare. No Bans Without Alternatives:  Ensuring viable solutions are in place before restrictions on crop protection products. Livestock Sector Reform:  A rethinking of animal farming in line with sustainability goals. At the Agrifood Policy Conference on June 3 ,  discussions delved deeper into how to make EU farming more attractive, competitive, and sustainable. Major takeaways included: Productivity and Sustainability Must Coexist:  the goal isn’t just to produce more, but to do so while protecting public health, the environment, and farmers’ incomes. Support for Innovation:  from digital tools to biotech, innovation must be guided by strong governance and public-interest frameworks. Integrated Policy Design:  agricultural, climate and social policies must work together, not in silos. Clear Product Information:  transparency on food origin and ingredients must be improved across the EU, avoiding greenwashing and ensuring consumers don’t just pick the cheapest product but the best one. BeeLife’s Commitment: Science-Driven Advocacy for Pollinators and Biodiversity 75% of EU crops depend on pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and beetles. A single beehive can visit up to 20 billion flowers annually, contributing to food production, seed development, and ecological balance. “The average economic value of crop pollination by insects in the EU from 1991 to 2018 ranged between 7 and 18 billion USD per year”, Michael Rubinigg underlined in the article published on the EU Pollinator Hub , while Lautenbach et al . estimated a global value of around $350 billion per year . In light of this ecological and economic urgency, the debate on the future of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) in 2027 becomes even more critical. BeeLife is reinforcing its presence within EU institutions, both as a scientific advisor and environmental advocate, to push back against worrying policy regressions in some Member States. Why Science-Based NGOs Matter More Than Ever In this landscape, increasingly shaped by competitiveness and market dynamics, the voices anchored in science and guided by public interest are crucial. Pollinators are not just environmental assets; they are keystones of Europe’s food systems, culture and biodiversity. As the EU charts its agricultural future, BeeLife stands firm: to defend biodiversity, to advocate for smarter, fairer policies, and to ensure that Europe’s agri-food transition doesn’t leave pollinators or farmers behind. In this spirit, BeeLife has published an open letter addressed to EU authorities, calling for urgent recognition of these essential assumptions in shaping food production and rural development. We invite you to visit our Open Letters on the website , where this appeal and future statements will be made available to engage decision-makers and the wider public. Our approach is rooted in evidence and collaboration. As Noa Simon, BeeLife’s Scientific Director, explains: “ In May, we met with policymakers, farming and environmental partners in Brussels to reinforce our collective commitment to biodiversity. We’re expanding our strategic partnerships with NGOs, researchers, universities, and EU projects to build a coordinated front for pollinator protection. ” Through its involvement in EU-funded projects and institutional dialogues, BeeLife emphasises that the protection of pollinators should remain central in shaping the next generation of agri-food policies, whether it involves regulating pesticides, deploying new genomic techniques (NGTs), or implementing the Nature Restoration Law. References: On July 8 , the adoption of the controversial  Duplomb Law  in France marked a dangerous step back, with a parliamentary majority voting to reintroduce neonicotinoids  known for their devastating effects on bees, biodiversity, and human health. This decision, taken despite strong opposition from beekeepers, scientists, responsible farmers, and civil society, reflects a broader trend: some Member States remain in favour of using or reintroducing banned and harmful pesticides.

In June 2025, the Regional Administrative Court of Tuscany, Florence, ruled in favor of an Italian beekeeping enterprise, La Pollinosa . A decision comes after a legal dispute that began in 2024, when the Tuscan Archipelago National Park denied authorization to reintroduce the Ligustica honey bee colonies to Giannutri Island, citing concerns over potential competition between Apis mellifera and wild pollinators. The Park’s decision was challenged in Court by La Pollinosa, with the support of multiple national and regional beekeeping associations, including UNAAPI , a longstanding BeeLife member. The Court has annulled and declared unlawful the Park’s administrative highlighting the absence of a contradictory hearing , despite prior authorisations for the same activity by the Park itself. The judgment states that, faced with La Pollinosa's criticisms of the scientific justifications advanced by the Park, the Park failed to provide counter-arguments  and instead insisted exclusively on restating the findings of the studies underlying its reasoning, without addressing the appeal's criticisms concerning the methodological and substantive unreliability of the studies. The Court also establishes the principle whereby, according to the law, nomadic beekeeping is « an activity that is free from an administrative standpoint » and reaffirmed that the Park’s own regulations explicitly allow for beekeeping under specific health and biodiversity-preserving conditions. No complaint has ever been lodged by the Park against La Pollinosa concerning such conditions. A Broader Reflection on Pollinator Coexistence This case speaks to a wider and increasingly common debate: the relationship between domestic pollinators, such as honey bees, and wild pollinator species. At BeeLife, we believe this issue cannot be addressed through oversimplified bans or unverified precautionary principles , but must be tackled through scientific dialogue, legal clarity , and mutual respect among environmental stakeholders . Pollinators are all key indicators of environmental health. While interactions between species must be studied seriously, any decisions affecting beekeeping must be grounded in robust data , transparent procedures , and inclusive governance . Research, Advocacy and Clarity In response to the questions raised by the Giannutri case, and others like it emerging across Europe, BeeLife announces the launch of a dedicated European-level study on the coexistence of wild and managed pollinators , to be carried out during 2025. A Call for Responsibility BeeLife welcomes the Giannutri ruling as a milestone for science-based environmental governance. It reminds us that beekeeping, when responsibly practiced, is part of the biodiversity solution, not the problem . Conservation policies must avoid framing managed pollinators as scapegoats for broader ecological degradation driven by habitat loss, pesticide use, and agricultural intensification. We call on public authorities, media, and civil society to approach pollinator protection with nuance, transparency, and unity . Defending biodiversity means defending both wild ecosystems and the rural communities who help sustain them through sustainable practices like beekeeping.

A Call for Change: Rethinking Europe’s Food and Farming Future This week, BeeLife has sent an open letter to EU decision-makers urging a major rethink of how we approach food production, rural development, and the future of agriculture in Europe. As the EU prepares its next long-term budget and post-2027 Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), we are calling for a bold shift. 👉 Because “business as usual” is no longer sustainable. What’s at Stake? Small farms and beekeepers are disappearing , squeezed by low prices, rising costs, and climate pressures. Pollinators are declining , and environmental degradation is accelerating. Rural communities are being left behind , lacking infrastructure, opportunities, and fair access to markets. Consumers struggle to access healthy, local food  — a growing gap in both affordability and availability. What We’re Asking For In our letter, we urge the EU to: ✅ Support a transition to agroecology and resilient food systems ✅ Protect the livelihoods of farmers, beekeepers, and rural communities ✅ Maintain strong environmental safeguards on soil, water, air, and biodiversity ✅ Invest in local food value chains and rural infrastructure ✅ Ensure healthy and sustainable diets  are accessible to all Europeans This is not just about agriculture, it’s about ensuring a future where rural areas thrive, ecosystems recover, and food systems work for everyone. Read the Full Letter We invite you to read our full open letter and explore the vision we’re advocating for: 👉 Download the letter (PDF)  Now is the time to put nature, people, and food security at the heart of EU policy.

As the European Commission prepares for the upcoming SCOPAFF meeting on June 13th, BeeLife has submitted an open letter voicing strong concerns about the proposed authorisation of genetically modified sugar beet KWS20-1 for food and feed uses under Regulation (EC) No 1829/2003. This GM sugar beet has been developed to tolerate three herbicides, dicamba, glufosinate-ammonium, and glyphosate, raising questions about its alignment with the EU's goals for sustainable agriculture and food safety. While EFSA has concluded that the processed products derived from this variety pose no risks to human or animal health, the environmental impacts of the plant itself were not assessed, since the application does not cover cultivation. Still, key concerns remain unaddressed. In our letter, we point out several critical oversights in the application, particularly the lack of consideration for all the possible uses of sugar beet co-products, including in animal feed and bee nutrition. GM-derived syrups could end up in the beekeeping sector without adequate risk assessment, something that directly concerns the health of pollinators and the sustainability of beekeeping practices in Europe. Furthermore, we raise broader concerns about continuing to authorise genetically modified crops that are designed to work with herbicides known to pose environmental and health risks. Imports of such products could undermine European producers who do not rely on herbicide-tolerant varieties and contribute to an unsustainable agricultural model. We invite policymakers, stakeholders, and the public to read the full letter and consider the implications of approving this authorisation. 👉 Click here to read the full letter

Recent headlines about traces of pesticides in honey have stirred consumer concern, but let’s be clear: honey remains one of the purest, most natural products in our diets. The issue lies not in the bees or their products, but in the broader agricultural environment in which they (and we) live. In a landscape where fruits and vegetables are routinely treated with synthetic pesticides or farmed animals are treated with antibiotics or other veterinary products, often directly, honey stands apart. Bees collect nectar from wildflowers and crops, converting it into a golden, enzymatically rich food that humans have cherished for millennia. Unlike many crops, honey isn’t sprayed, coated, or processed. What ends up in the jar is simply what nature—and the bees—provide. So why the concern? It’s not about honey production practices. It’s about what bees are exposed to in the landscape we all share. Bees are environmental sentinels. When pesticide residues show up in honey, they reveal a problem far larger than the hive: one that affects pollinators, food security, and human health alike. A recent EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) report found that fruits and vegetables are far more likely to exceed pesticide residue limits than honey. In fact honey samples across Europe fell well within legal safety thresholds. The real red flag is the widespread use of chemicals in conventional farming, substances known to harm bees, linger in soil and water, and enter our food chain. 1 As consumers, our takeaway shouldn’t be panic—it should be awareness and empowerment. Choosing honey from local, trusted sources supports both sustainable agriculture and the beekeepers who are sounding the alarm. These producers are calling not for softer rules, but stricter controls on dangerous substances, enhanced enforcement, and a cultural shift toward responsible farming. After all, the bees aren’t alone in this. We breathe the same air, drink the same water, and eat the food grown in the same fields. Their safety is our safety. Their resilience is a measure of our own. So continue to enjoy honey, but also read labels! Ask where your food comes from and how it was produced. Request high-quality foodstuffs that are flavour and residue-free. Support policies and practices that protect pollinators and people alike. Because in the end, the problem isn’t the honey, it’s a system that needs to change and we all have a role in bringing about that change. Footnotes 1 .  “HBM results create a scientific basis for protecting the health of the most vulnerable population groups. Commonly, young children have higher concentrations of most chemical pollutants per kilogram of body weight compared to older age groups. This holds true for a number of modern pesticides and plastic constituents. Young children are especially vulnerable to developing adverse health effects later in life when exposed in early years.” Human biomonitoring programmes: importance for protecting human health from negative impacts of Chemicals  - World Health Organization European Region - pg.4 (...) “Exposure to organophosphate pesticides is associated with IQ loss, mental retardation and ADHD. Internal levels as determined by HBM of organophosphate exposures in EU populations were associated with 13.0  million (sensitivity analysis: 4.2  million to 17.1 million) lost IQ points per year and 59 300 (sensitivity analysis: 16 500 to 84 400) cases of intellectual disability, at an annual cost of €146 billion (sensitivity analysis: €46.8 billion to €194.0 billion). Human biomonitoring programmes: importance for protecting human health from negative impacts of Chemicals  - World Health Organization European Region - pg. 7

European food sovereignty  stands as the  defining goal of the new agri-food vision, set against a backdrop of climate, environmental, and demographic challenges. Self-sufficiency , competitiveness , and  generational renewal  have emerged as the key pillars of this evolving strategy. Yet, beneath this vision lies a critical, often overlooked truth: every agri-food policy carries direct implications for both human health and the health of our planet .In Europe, agricultural policy plays a pivotal role in shaping the sustainability of the ecosystems that support our food systems and, ultimately, the quality and safety of what ends up on our plates. BeeLife: role, strategy and approach Agri - food policies in Europe are being reshaped, and BeeLife offers a multidisciplinary and scientific approach,   united with the ability to engage key   stakeholders and drive change .   The organisation is intensifying its efforts on two strategic fronts: reinforcing its role as a trusted advocate and advisor of bees, pollinators and beekeepers  within EU institutions, and  deepening collaboration with partners  involved in European projects focused on environmental sustainability and pollinator protection. Intensive week for Pollinators, Environment and Humanity During the week marked by the Bee World Day and Biodiversity Day (from 19th to 23rd May 2025),  BeeLife took the opportunity to be part of active meetings, workshops and advocacy discussions in Brussels. Cooperating for a single, unified vision of health , one that encompasses pollinators, the environment, and human beings, is imperative and a scientific necessity.  The One Health approach , as outlined by Mahefarisoa et al. (2021) , is a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach that recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health. It aims to address global health challenges by promoting effective communication, coordination, and capacity building across sectors and disciplines. The One Health approach emphasizes the importance of understanding the complex relationships between humans, animals, and the environment to prevent, detect, and control diseases, including zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).  Figure: Pollinators and the ONE HEALTH approach. Mahefarisoa et al., 2021 (1) BeeLife Agenda 19 th - 23 rd May 2025 On the technical, scientific, and strategic collaboration side, BeeLife took part in various discussion forums : -  collaborated with project leaders involved in EU Pollinators research , moderating a multi-stakeholder workshop to share resources and build bridges in content and activities about pollinator and biodiversity-related initiatives, with the support of DG-ENV. - Discussed with other European farmers, consumers,   citizens, and   environmental organisations  to align strategies, activities, and scientific priorities. On the political front, BeeLife : - engaged directly with Members of the European Parliament  (MEPs) and their policy teams, - met representatives from DG AGRI, DG SANTE, DG ENVI and the Cabinet of Commissioner Varhelyi for Health and Animal Welfare . During the discussions, BeeLife promoted an approach that keeps pollinators and people's health at the heart of a future vision for Europe, especially dealing with key topics of today’s and tomorrow’s policies, like regulations on pesticides, NGTs, food and beekeeping products and Nature Restoration Law. Other key issues that emerged were the strong call from 1.2 million EU citizens in support of  protecting bees and farmers  from the harmful effects of synthetic pesticide use (2) . The actions promoted and adopted by BeeLife during this intensive week: a plan of recurrent meetings with MEPs and Commissioners to provide more knowledge about the strong connection between our health, economy, culture and pollinators and a deep scientific exploration of pollination’s contribution to society creation of fostering broad collaboration and open dialogue  among stakeholders, the organisation of the upcoming Pollinator Week event in early November. Noa Simon, Scientific Director at BeeLife, says: “ Pollinators are indispensable creatures for the reproduction of many crops and wild plants, directly influencing food diversity, nutritional quality, and agricultural productivity. If European agricultural policy wants to evolve in response to environmental and public health challenges, integrating the protection of pollinators is essential for safeguarding biodiversity, crop yields and human well-being. We are strengthening our dialogue with institutions, NGOs, researchers, academic institutions, farmers and other stakeholders to advance biodiversity protection initiatives in a united and coordinated manner . ”  Footnotes 1 . https://hal.science/hal-03186718/document   2. As a reminder, citizens demanded: A phase-out of synthetic pesticide . By 2030, the use of synthetic pesticides in EU agriculture shall be reduced by 80 per cent. By 2035, agriculture throughout the Union shall be synthetic pesticide-free. The Commission sought to address this demand through the Sustainable Use of Pesticides Regulation. Still, following its withdrawal last year, citizens are wondering how EU governments will respond to this demand. Measures to recover biodiversity . Habitats shall be restored, and agricultural areas shall become a vector of biodiversity recovery. The Nature Restoration Law is a good step forward in this direction. However, the new priorities of the Commission threaten the effectiveness of the Common Agricultural Policy in meeting this demand.  Support for farmers . Farmers must be supported in the necessary transition towards agroecology. Small, diverse, and sustainable farms shall be favoured, organic farming shall be expanded, and research into pesticide-free and GMO-free agriculture shall be supported. Again, the new political priorities of the Commission, competitiveness and defence, raise questions about how our European and national administrations will answer this demand.

When Beekeepers defend scientific approach and EU law, not just pollinators In a landmark ruling for pollinator protection and environmental health, the Administrative Court of Appeal of Marseille has annulled the market authorisations (AMMs) of two neonicotinoid-based insecticides, Closer and Transform, manufactured by Corteva Agrisciences. The decision, issued on February 28 by the French Council of State, represents a significant legal and scientific precedent in pesticide regulation. The court concluded that the authorisation process endorsed by the French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) was unlawful, as it failed to comply with key provisions of Regulation (EC) No. 1107/2009. Specifically, the agency did not adequately assess the full formulation of the phytopharmaceutical products, including the synergistic effects of active substances and co-formulants, nor were the toxicological evaluations conducted under real-world conditions of use. According to the ruling, ANSES had relied solely on semi-field trials conducted in tunnel environments, ignoring the regulation’s requirement for complementary assessments under natural open-field conditions. This methodological shortfall, the court found, rendered the risk assessment insufficient to establish that the use of these products would not have unacceptable long-term effects on bee larvae, behaviour, and colony development. Christian Pons, President of the l ’ Union Nationale de l’Apiculture Française  (UNAF), which initiated the legal challenge, called the judgment a “turning point in the fight to protect pollinators and uphold scientific integrity in pesticide regulation.” He reaffirmed UNAF’s commitment to demanding stricter evaluation protocols and agrochemical accountability. “This ruling affirms the need for pesticide manufacturers to prove safety using the only methodology sanctioned by EU law,” Pons stated, “which includes testing in real use conditions and accounting for the full product formulation.” The decision is especially timely as legislative discussions across Europe increasingly consider the reauthorisation of previously banned neonicotinoid substances, despite overwhelming scientific evidence of their harm to biodiversity and pollinators. UNAF now calls on French and European regulatory bodies to immediately revise and enforce evaluation procedures in strict adherence to EU standards, and to resist further regulatory backsliding under industry pressure. Corteva Agrisciences, formerly Dow AgroSciences SAS, is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dow Chemical Company. The multinational corporation, active in agricultural chemicals and biotechnology, reported annual revenues of USD 7 billion in 2013. Related links News published by UNAF https:// www.unaf-apiculture.info/actualites/neonicotinoides-l-unaf-obtient-l-annulation-des-autorisations-de-mise-sur-le.html Romania's Court Ruling Suspends Controversial Pesticide Derogations https:// www.bee-life.eu/post/romania-critical-success-neonicotinoids

A groundbreaking collaboration between Allianz Research and Wageningen University & Research has shed new light on the economic consequences of biodiversity decline—revealing that it is not just an ecological crisis but a looming financial threat. The report, The New Risk Frontier in Finance: Concepts, Challenges, and a First Quantitative Case Study on Pollination Biodiversity Loss , warns that financial institutions face escalating economic, reputational, and legal risks as ecosystems deteriorate. This study, backed by one of the world’s largest financial services providers, echoes long-standing concerns from European environmental groups—and underscores a harsh reality: the global economy is deeply entwined with nature. The High Stakes of Biodiversity Decline In 2020, the Swiss Re Institute revealed that 55% of the global economy depends on well-functioning biodiversity and ecosystem services . That same year, the World Economic Forum (WEF)  found that reported that businesses rely on nature far more than previously recognised, with approximately $44 trillion in economic  value. The OECD estimates that ecosystem services contribute $140 trillion annually to the global economy . At the same time, the World Bank  warns that unchecked biodiversity loss could shrink global GDP by up to 2.7% annually by 2030 . Yet quantifying these risks remains a challenge. Unlike carbon emissions, biodiversity loss is highly localised, with impacts varying by region. Current risk assessments rely on qualitative metrics, leaving financial institutions struggling to measure direct economic fallout. A New Approach: Measuring the Cost of Pollination Collapse To address this gap, Allianz and Wageningen University employed the MAGNET  global economic model to analyse the financial repercussions of pollination services loss (PSL)—a critical ecosystem function. Their findings are stark: A total collapse of pollination could slash agricultural output by up to 7.87% in Belgium, with losses hitting $26 billion in the U.S. Even a 20% decline in pollinators would shrink production by 0.45% to 1.92% , disproportionately affecting nations like Italy, Spain, and the U.S., where key crops (apples, nuts, and pears) rely heavily on pollinators. But the damage doesn’t stop at farms. Downstream industries—processed foods, meat, beverages, and food services—would also suffer. Italy’s food sector could lose 4 billion annually, while Germany faces 2 billion losses—nearly matching direct agricultural impacts. Rising food prices and import dependencies would further strain economies. Winners and Losers in a Biodiversity Crisis Surprisingly, the report suggests some sectors could benefit. As agriculture falters, labour and capital may shift toward industry and services, boosting short-term growth in non-agricultural fields. But these gains are illusory. The WEF’s 2024 Global Risks Report  ranks biodiversity loss as the third-largest economic threat of the next decade, whether through resource scarcity or shifting sustainability demands. The Bottom Line: Protecting Nature Protects the Economy The financial sector can no longer afford to treat biodiversity as a niche environmental issue. Proactive measures—from sustainable investing to policy reforms—are essential to prevent systemic shocks, preserve natural capital, and secure long-term economic resilience. The message is clear: Safeguarding biodiversity isn’t just about saving species—it’s about safeguarding the global economy. Sources : Allianz Report (2023) - https://www.allianz.com/content/dam/onemarketing/azcom/Allianz_com/economic-research/publications/specials/en/2023/febuary/2023-02-28-Biodiversity.pdf Swiss Re Institute (2020) - https://www.swissre.com/media/press-release/nr-20200923-biodiversity-and-ecosystems-services.html World Economic Forum, New Nature Economy Report  (2020) - https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_New_Nature_Economy_Report_2020.pdf WEF, Global Risks Report  (2024) - https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Global_Risks_Report_2024.pdf