Language Note: automated translations may contain inaccuracies. For precise information, please refer to the English text. We appreciate your patience. On 17 June, the European Parliament will vote on a proposal concerning the future regulation of plants developed through New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). Ahead of the vote, on 16 June, farmers, beekeepers, environmental organisations and citizens from across Europe will gather in Strasbourg to call for the preservation of key safeguards, including traceability, risk assessment and consumer labelling. The coalition, which includes BeeLife, believes these measures are essential to guarantee transparency, informed consumer choice and the coexistence of different farming systems. They also play a crucial role in enabling the monitoring and assessment of potential impacts on biodiversity and pollinators. According to the organisations involved, the debate extends far beyond agricultural innovation. It concerns farmers’ rights, consumer information, the future of GMO-free value chains and the protection of ecosystems across Europe. Without effective traceability and monitoring tools, understanding and managing potential environmental impacts could become significantly more challenging. The mobilisation sends a clear message to decision-makers: innovation should go hand in hand with transparency, accountability and environmental protection. On behalf of BeeLife and representing the beekeeping sector, UNAF (Union Nationale de l’Apicolture Française) will take part in the Strasbourg mobilisation, bringing the voice of beekeepers and pollinator protection to this important European debate. 👉 To learn more about the mobilisation, the organisations involved and the concerns surrounding the proposed legislation, visit the campaign page of European Coordination Via Campesina.

Language Note: automated translations may contain inaccuracies. For precise information, please refer to the English text. We appreciate your patience. On 27 May 2026, BeeLife officially launched the EU BeeLovers Campaign at the Natural History Museum in Brussels, bringing together stakeholders from across the beekeeping, agriculture, food, environmental and policy sectors for a day of discussion, exchange and collaboration. The event marked the public starting point of a three-year campaign dedicated to promoting European honey, supporting beekeeping and strengthening awareness of the essential role of pollinators in our food systems and ecosystems. BeeLife Team at the Event The campaign launch was led by several members of the BeeLife team: Anna Ganapini, President of BeeLife Noa Simón Delso, Scientific Director Étienne Bruneau, Vice-Président Roderick Wheatley, Treasurer Andrés Salazar, EU BeeLovers Project Leader Santiago Otálora, Video & Graphic Designer Together, they presented BeeLife's vision for the campaign and engaged with participants throughout the day. See the event programme Participation and Engagement The event welcomed around 70 registered participants, including beekeepers, farmers, researchers, journalists, policymakers, retailers, representatives of agricultural organisations and BeeLife members. The strong diversity of participants reflected one of the core ambitions of the campaign: creating meaningful dialogue across sectors that all have a role to play in the future of pollinators, honey and sustainable food systems. Main Messages Emerging from the Discussions European Honey Deserves Greater Recognition A recurring theme throughout the day was the need to better recognise the value of European honey, not only as a food product, but as the result of biodiversity, local ecosystems, beekeeping expertise and sustainable production practices. Speakers highlighted that honey carries the aromas, landscapes and traditions of the territories where it is produced, making it one of Europe's most distinctive agricultural products. Transparency Builds Trust The discussions also addressed the upcoming changes to European honey labelling rules and the importance of providing consumers with clearer information about origin, traceability and quality. Participants agreed that better information is essential to help consumers make informed choices and to ensure that European honey can be recognised and valued appropriately. Supporting Beekeepers Means Supporting Agriculture Several interventions underlined the close relationship between beekeeping and agriculture. Healthy pollinator populations contribute to crop production, biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. Supporting beekeepers therefore means supporting broader environmental and agricultural objectives. From Hive to Shelf: Strengthening the Value Chain The afternoon seminar explored opportunities to improve cooperation between beekeepers, farmers, retailers and consumers. The discussions highlighted the importance of creating fair market conditions for high-quality European honey while increasing public awareness of the challenges faced by the sector. The Most Vibrant Networking Moment While the entire event generated valuable exchanges, the networking lunch and afternoon reception proved to be particularly dynamic moments for participants. These informal sessions encouraged conversations between stakeholders who rarely have the opportunity to meet in the same room, including policymakers, researchers, beekeepers, retailers, communication professionals and representatives of civil society organisations. A Shared Journey One of the strongest messages emerging from the launch event was that protecting bees is not only about pollinators. It is about preserving biodiversity, supporting resilient food systems, valuing the work of beekeepers and helping consumers better understand the products they choose every day. Through EU BeeLovers, BeeLife and its partners aim to build a growing community of farmers, beekeepers, consumers, researchers, businesses and institutions who share a common ambition: ensuring that European honey and the people behind it receive the recognition they deserve. Bee or not to be. Together, we choose to bee. Looking Ahead: The Next Steps for EU BeeLovers The Brussels launch was only the beginning. Over the next three years, the EU BeeLovers Campaign will continue to develop activities aimed at increasing awareness of European honey, strengthening understanding of beekeeping and promoting informed and sustainable consumption choices. Upcoming actions include: implementation of the dedicated EU BeeLovers website. Publication of video interviews and campaign stories. Media and public awareness activities. Educational and communication materials. Development of the European Bee Lovers Network. Stakeholder engagement initiatives across Belgium. Annual events and campaign monitoring activities. Over the coming months, we will be sharing interviews, videos, campaign updates, expert insights and opportunities to engage with the growing European BeeLovers community. Follow the project on our website and social media channels to stay informed about upcoming activities, events and stories from across the beekeeping, farming and biodiversity sectors. https://eubeelovers.eu/ Instagram Facebook YouTube

Language Note: automated translations may contain inaccuracies. For precise information, please refer to the English text. We appreciate your patience. On World Bee Day, BeeLife European Beekeeping Coordination and PAN Europe sent a joint letter to the European Commission calling for stronger implementation of science-based pesticide regulation and better protection for pollinators. The letter focuses on several urgent concerns, highlighting a growing contradiction at the heart of EU pesticide policy: Procedure for the regulation: it has been 14 years since EFSA recognised that the risk assessment system for pesticides was inadequate for bees, and three years since the revised Bee Guidance Document was published. Yet, a fully adequate framework to protect pollinators from these chemical risks is still missing. Cypermethrin, Acetamiprid and Flupyradifurone: the letter raises concerns over the continued approval or reassessment of substances such as acetamiprid, flupyradifurone, and cypermethrin, despite increasing evidence of harmful effects on bees, biodiversity, and ecosystems. Representing both the beekeeping sector and environmental civil society across Europe, BeeLife and PAN Europe call for pesticide policies that consistently reflect independent science, legal commitments, and the precautionary principle — not only in theory, but also in practice. 👉 Read the full letter here

Language Note: automated translations may contain inaccuracies. For precise information, please refer to the English text. We appreciate your patience. Brussels, 18 May 2026 - Ahead of the official EU BeeLovers launch event on 27 May in Brussels, BeeLife has published a new press release exploring the current challenges facing European honey, beekeeping and pollinators: from market pressures and traceability to biodiversity and sustainable agriculture. Journalists, project partners, honey sector stakeholders and organisations working on related initiatives across Europe are invited to discover more about the campaign, its objectives and the upcoming event. The press release also includes information on the EU BeeLovers initiative and contact details for BeeLife’s press office for interviews, media requests and further information ahead of the launch event. 👉 Read our press release on the EU BeeLovers website 👉 Or download the PDF versions, available in 4 languages, here below: EN FR NL DE 🔗 If you would like to learn more about the project, read our latest articles: https://www.bee-life.eu/post/eu-beelovers-the-buzz-is-building https://www.bee-life.eu/post/eu-beelovers-launch-event-brussels-27-may-2026 EU BeeLovers Project is co-founded by the European Union

Language Note: this article was originally written in English. Automated translations may contain inaccuracies. For precise information, please refer to the English text. We appreciate your patience. A new policy brief published in May 2026 calls for urgent, coordinated European action to address the growing environmental, economic and public health risks posed by invasive hornets. The publication, Roadmap to Control “Invasive Hornets”, produced by BeeLife with the contribution and co-signed by Copa-Cogeca, Apimondia and the European Professional Beekeepers Association (EPBA), analyses the spread and impacts of Vespa velutina and the neo-invasive Vespa orientalis across Europe. The document describes these invasive social vespids as a “structurally underestimated, cross-sectoral threat” affecting biodiversity, public health, and economic sectors such as agriculture, beekeeping or tourism. Although EU Regulation 1143/2014 established obligations for the management of invasive alien species, the report argues that implementation across Member States remains fragmented, underfunded and largely reactive. The roadmap highlights how climate change, longer warm seasons and the highly opportunistic behaviour of these hornets are accelerating their expansion into new territories. Vespa velutina has already been detected in 16 European countries, with established populations in most of them. Beyond biodiversity concerns, the publication documents emerging allergological risks for citizens, increasing pressure on pollinators, rising colony losses in beekeeping, and economic impacts on fruit and wine production in heavily infested regions. The report calls for a paradigm shift: moving from isolated nest-removal approaches towards a professionalised, coordinated and multi-sectoral European strategy built around surveillance, research, harmonised governance and long-term funding. Among the key recommendations are: the establishment of National Vespa Coordination Units; harmonised implementation of EU Regulation 1143/2014; stronger monitoring and reporting systems - with open, shareable information at the EU level; increased investment in research and selective control tools; enhanced cooperation between authorities, researchers and citizens. Read the full publication here Follow our social media channels for updates, analysis and ongoing discussions on invasive species management, pollinator protection and environmental health. If your organisation shares this commitment to environmental, agricultural or social safety, we'd love to have you co-sign the roadmap. Reach out — the more voices, the stronger the message.

Language Note: automated translations may contain inaccuracies. For precise information, please refer to the English text. We appreciate your patience. European honey is more than a product: it reflects the health of our ecosystems, biodiversity and agricultural systems. At a time when beekeepers face increasing market pressures and environmental challenges, supporting European honey also means recognising the essential role of beekeeping in preserving pollinators and detecting environmental change. BeeLife invites stakeholders, journalists, beekeepers, farmers and organisations active in food and sustainability to the official launch of the EU BeeLovers Campaign, co-funded by the European Union. 📍 Natural History Museum, Brussels 📅 27 May 2026 🕚 11:00–17:30 Programme Highlights Morning: Press Conference & Campaign Launch (11:00 – 12:30) European beekeepers and European honey: How can we help preserve this sector, which is essential to our health and our future? This session will feature the official presentation of the EUBeelovers campaign in Belgium. Speakers: Anna Ganapini, President, BeeLife Doriane Alberico, Project Manager, CARI Dr. Wim Reybroeck, Former Senior Research Scientist & Lab Manager, ILVO Étienne Bruneau, BeeLife's Vice-President, Former Director of CARI & FAB-BBF Andrés Salazar, Project Manager, BeeLife Noon: Light Bee Lunch (12:35 – 14:00) A networking lunch for event participants and invited guests. Afternoon: Seminar (14:00 – 17:30) European Beekeepers and European Honey: Policies, Markets and Partnerships for a Sustainable Future. Panel 1 - Bees, Biodiversity & Brussels Examining the current policy landscape—including the National Strategic Plans under the CAP and pesticide regulations—and exploring how policymakers, scientists, and civil society can work together to support beekeepers and pollinators. Moderator: Sofía Sánchez Manzanaro, Agriculture & Environment Correspondent, EURACTIV Noa Simón Delso, Scientific Director, BeeLife European Beekeeping Coordination Jozef Van Der Steen, Consultant, AlveusAB Consultancy Panel 2 - From Hive to Shelf Focus: Connecting the value chain from beekeeper to farmer to retailer to consumer to improve market conditions for high-quality, traceable European honey. Moderator: Liesbet Corthout, Journalist, Boer & Tuinder Étienne Bruneau, BeeLife's Vice-President; Former Director of CARI, FAB-BBF Neset Kutlu, Founder, Bees Api Bruxelles Bruno Harmant, Beekeeper & Farmer Retail Representative (To be confirmed) 17:30 – Networking Reception ⚠️ Participation is limited to 100 attendees — early registration is recommended. 👉Register here -------- Événement de lancement EU BeeLovers – Bruxelles, 27 mai 2026 Remarque linguistique : les traductions automatiques peuvent comporter des inexactitudes. Pour obtenir des informations précises, veuillez vous reporter au texte en anglais. Nous vous remercions de votre patience. Le miel européen est bien plus qu’un produit : il reflète la santé de nos écosystèmes, de la biodiversité et de nos systèmes agricoles. À l’heure où les apiculteurs font face à des pressions économiques et environnementales croissantes, soutenir le miel européen signifie aussi reconnaître le rôle essentiel de l’apiculture dans la préservation des pollinisateurs et dans la détection des changements et risques environnementaux. BeeLife invite les parties prenantes, journalistes, apiculteurs, agriculteurs et organisations actives dans les domaines de l’alimentation et de la durabilité au lancement officiel de la campagne EU BeeLovers, cofinancée par l’Union européenne. 📍 Muséum des Sciences naturelles, Bruxelles 📅 27 mai 2026 🕚 11h00–17h30 Temps forts du programme Matinée : Conférence de presse & lancement de la campagne (11h00 – 12h30) Apiculteurs européens et miel européen : comment préserver ce secteur essentiel pour notre santé et notre avenir ?Cette session comprendra la présentation officielle de la campagne EUBeeLovers en Belgique. Intervenants : Anna Ganapini, Présidente, BeeLife Doriane Alberico, Cheffe de projet, CARI Dr Wim Reybroeck, ancien chercheur principal et responsable de laboratoire, ILVO Étienne Bruneau, Vice-président de BeeLife, ancien directeur du CARI et de la FAB-BBF Andrés Salazar, Chef de projet, BeeLife Midi : Bee Lunch léger (12h35 – 14h00) Déjeuner networking autour des produits de la ruche pour les participants et invités. Après-midi : Séminaire (14h00 – 17h30) Apiculteurs européens et miel européen : politiques, marchés et partenariats pour un avenir durable Panel 1 – Abeilles, biodiversité & Bruxelles Analyse du contexte politique actuel — notamment les Plans stratégiques nationaux de la PAC et les réglementations sur les pesticides — et réflexion sur la manière dont décideurs politiques, scientifiques et société civile peuvent collaborer pour soutenir les apiculteurs et les pollinisateurs. Modération : Sofía Sánchez Manzanaro, correspondante Agriculture & Environnement, EURACTIV Intervenants : Noa Simón Delso, Directrice scientifique, BeeLife European Beekeeping Coordination Jozef Van Der Steen, Consultant, AlveusAB Consultancy Panel 2 – De la ruche au rayon Focus : connecter l’ensemble de la chaîne de valeur — de l’apiculteur à l’agriculteur, du distributeur au consommateur — afin d’améliorer les conditions du marché pour un miel européen de haute qualité et traçable. Modération : Liesbet Corthout, journaliste, Boer & Tuinder Intervenants : Étienne Bruneau, Vice-président de BeeLife, directeur du CARI et de la FAB-BBF Neset Kutlu, fondateur, Bees Api Bruxelles Bruno Harmant, apiculteur et agriculteur Représentant commercial (à confirmer) 17h30 – Réception networking ⚠️ La participation est limitée à 100 personnes — une inscription rapide est recommandée. 👉 Inscrivez-vous ici

Language Note: this article is originally written in English. Automated translations may contain inaccuracies. For precise information, please refer to the English text. We appreciate your patience. Behind the scenes, teams and partners are working intensively to shape a bold, multidisciplinary initiative connecting bees, beekeepers, farmers and consumers in Belgium. With its official launch set for 27 May in Brussels, the project aims to build a vibrant community and raise awareness of the true value of European honey and sustainable beekeeping. Something is moving. Fast. And it sounds a lot like… bees. The EU BeeLovers Campaign is already alive with energy. Weeks of intense coordination, mostly remote, are bringing together a diverse and passionate team working across countries, disciplines and languages. Calls, drafts, creative exchanges — everything is in motion. Interviews are ongoing. Stories are being captured. Voices from beekeepers, farmers and experts are shaping the narrative of a campaign that wants to be as real as the ecosystems it represents. A strong and committed partnership is driving this momentum: 🔹 Schuttelaar & Partners, our Implementing Body 🔹 Carsa, the Evaluation Body 🔹 The Little Voice for video production, radio and logistics 🔹 Hopscotch Groupe for Press relations and media outreach 🔹 Blancdenoir for the Visual identity Together, they share not only expertise, but a common vision: building with us a campaign that connects people, knowledge and responsibility. At the same time our logo speaks of movement, community and belonging. A message that invites reflection and action: “Bee or not to be.” A question, a statement, a call. The project’s website will be soon online, designed as a living space, a hub where farmers, beekeepers, consumers and stakeholders can meet, exchange and grow. Because EU BeeLovers is not just a campaign: it is the beginning of a community, rooted in the idea that bees - for millennia - have been a shared heritage of our planet, inspiring wonder, care and connection. The official launch: Brussels, 27 May This growing momentum will culminate in the official launch event on 27 May 2026, hosted at the Natural History Museum in Brussels. A full day dedicated to dialogue, awareness and collaboration, bringing together press, policymakers, farmers, beekeepers and organisations from across the agriculture, environment and food sectors. From the morning press conference to the afternoon seminar, and through moments of exchange over honey-inspired networking, the event will mark the public start of a journey that has already begun behind the scenes. We look forward to welcoming everyone committed to supporting bees and building a more sustainable future. Please note that this is an in-person only event, specifically tailored to the agricultural community, retailers, beekeepers, journalists, researchers, and all BeeLife stakeholders. Register here Please note that the event is limited to 100 participants, early registration is strongly recommended. A shared objective Over the next three years, BeeLife - together with its partners - will work to make one message clearer, stronger and more widely understood: European honey is not just a product.It is the result of ecosystems, care, knowledge and balance. Through EU BeeLovers, the ambition is to strengthen awareness of the value of beekeeping as a living heritage, a constant signal of the health of biodiversity, and a guide for more conscious - and delicious - consumption choices. Because in the end, it is not only about bees.It is about the future we choose to build. EU BeeLovers Project is co-founded by the European Union

Language Note: this article is originally written in English. Automated translations may contain inaccuracies. For precise information, please refer to the English text. We appreciate your patience. The EU is approaching a final vote on new rules that would deregulate most genetically modified crops developed through New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). Critics warn the proposal would remove labelling, traceability and risk assessment for the majority of these products - raising concerns for transparency, pollinators and farmers. Civil society is mobilising through the campaign “Blacked-Out Ingredients - Label gene-edited food!”, while BeeLife highlights concrete risks for beekeeping and ecosystem protection. 👉 Discover the campaign here 👉 Read BeeLife’s policy brief here What is at stake in the EU’s NGT regulation The European Union is entering the final phase of adopting its new regulation on New Genomic Techniques (NGTs), a legislative shift that could fundamentally reshape the rules governing genetically modified organisms in Europe. Following the conclusion of trilogue negotiations, the file is now heading towards a final plenary vote in the European Parliament, provisionally scheduled for 19 May. If approved without changes, the regulation will be formally adopted. A decisive political timeline Key milestones in the coming weeks include: 29 April – announcement of the Council’s first reading in plenary 30 April – deadline for Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to table amendments ahead of the ENVI Committee vote 5 May – vote in the ENVI Committee 13 May – deadline for amendments ahead of plenary 19 May – final vote in plenary (to be confirmed) At this stage, the process is often described as a “rubber-stamping exercise”. However, political tensions remain high. A controversial attempt to reopen the debate In an unusual move, French MEP Christophe Clergeau (S&D) is attempting to reintroduce amendments to the agreed text, focusing in particular on patents. The Parliament had originally called for a ban on patents on NGT plants, but the final compromise allows them, relying instead on a future voluntary code of conduct. Critics argue this falls far short of addressing concerns around market concentration and farmers’ rights. Clergeau warns that without stronger safeguards, the regulation could lead to: increased dependency on large corporations, reduced choice for farmers, higher prices, and the gradual disappearance of small breeders. His proposal aims to: protect farmers from legal action linked to patented seeds, strengthen oversight of licensing practices. However, reopening the text would delay the legislative process — a prospect strongly opposed by supporters of the current deal, including lead negotiator Jessica Polfjärd (EPP). Patents, traceability and labelling at the heart of the debate Beyond patents, key amendments expected ahead of the plenary vote include: traceability provisions, labelling requirements, safeguards originally proposed in Parliament but weakened during negotiations. Civil society organisations and some MEPs are calling for measures to ensure that patented NGT products remain detectable, so that farmers and operators are not exposed to legal risks without the means to verify the presence of patented traits. A system with fewer safeguards Under the proposed regulation, NGT-1 plants — expected to account for the majority of new genetically modified crops — would be treated as equivalent to conventional crops and exempt from: risk assessment, traceability, labelling on final products, post-market monitoring. Only a smaller category (NGT-2) would remain subject to existing GMO rules. Critics argue that this creates a significant transparency gap, with most genetically modified products potentially entering the food chain without consumer awareness. Civil society mobilises In response, a coalition of 52 organic, environmental and consumer organisations has launched the international campaign “Blacked-Out Ingredients — Label gene-edited food!”. The campaign highlights a simple but powerful message:consumers have the right to know what is in their food. Its visual symbol — food labels with blacked-out ingredients — reflects what critics see as the real risk of the proposal: not just deregulation, but the systematic removal of transparency from the food chain. For over two decades, public opinion has remained clear: more than 85% of European citizens support mandatory GMO labelling, including for new genomic techniques. More than 520,000 citizens have already signed petitions calling for transparency. Despite this, the current proposal would remove labelling requirements for the vast majority of NGT plants, effectively reducing the level of information available to consumers. Beyond labels: implications for pollinators, consumers, beekeepers and farmers The debate goes beyond consumer information. It raises broader questions about: the future structure of the seed market, the autonomy of farmers, the protection of biodiversity, and the resilience of pollinator-dependent systems. For beekeeping, the lack of traceability raises specific concerns. If NGT-1 crops cannot be tracked, it becomes impossible to determine whether bees have foraged on them — creating uncertainty for honey producers, legal inconsistencies within EU food law, and tangible risks for market access. A narrowing window for action With the final vote approaching, the outcome remains uncertain. Amendments would require a majority of 361 MEPs — a challenging but not impossible threshold. Civil society organisations are considering public mobilisation in Strasbourg ahead of the plenary vote, underlining the growing concern around the direction of EU policy.Critics warn that the proposal does not merely modernise GMO legislation, but actively reduces existing safeguards, marking a significant shift in EU food policy. As one campaign representative put it: “It’s not just labels that are being removed — it is the freedom to choose what we eat.” A turning point for EU food policy The NGT regulation represents a pivotal moment. The question facing policymakers is no longer only about innovation, but about who controls the food system and how much citizens are allowed to know about it. For BeeLife and many stakeholders, the answer remains clear: innovation must go hand in hand with transparency, traceability and the precautionary principle. Without these safeguards, Europe risks not only ecological blind spots — but also a loss of public trust in its food system. BeeLife’s policy brief on the implications of NGT deregulation for pollinators and beekeeping is available here.

Download the press release The European beekeeping sector is no stranger to parasitic pressure. For decades, Varroa destructor has defined the baseline for colony health management. Attention is now also turning to Tropilaelaps, a parasite spreading westwards and nearing the European Union. In a letter addressed to the European Commission, Member States, and National Reference Laboratories for bee health, BeeLife calls for immediate preparedness and reinforced vigilance, urging authorities to prevent the introduction of the mite and to effectively manage its potential spread. The full letter addressed to DG SANTE and DG AGRI is available here. A parasite characterised by rapid spread Like Varroa, Tropilaelaps reproduces within capped brood cells of the honey bee, Apis mellifera. However, its biological characteristics make it particularly concerning: faster reproductive rate; rapid movement across combs; exclusive feeding on brood; very short phoretic phase. These features enable infestations to develop quickly, potentially leading to rapid colony collapse. Increasing proximity to the European Union Tropilaelaps has already been detected in Georgia and in Russian regions bordering Ukraine, where it is associated with colony losses. According to the European Reference Laboratory for Bee Health, limitations in surveillance capacity in parts of the region make the epidemiological situation uncertain, while the risk of introduction into the EU remains significant. Multiple pathways of introduction The mite may enter the EU through several routes, including: movement of live bees (particularly queens and packages) used beekeeping equipment apicultural products such as comb This diversity of pathways increases the complexity of prevention and control. No authorised treatments available There are currently no veterinary medicinal products in the EU specifically authorised against Tropilaelaps. While some treatments used against Varroa destructor may offer partial efficacy, they do not provide a reliable or sustainable solution. Preventive action, early detection, and rapid response therefore remain essential. A limited window for action Unlike Asian honey bee species, Apis mellifera has not evolved alongside Tropilaelaps, making European colonies particularly vulnerable. If the mite becomes established, eradication would be extremely difficult. Experience with Varroa destructor demonstrates that delayed intervention leads to long-term, systemic impacts.

A landmark EU Court ruling challenges both the scientific and democratic foundations of pesticide approvals, reinforcing the need for transparency, accountability, and stronger protection of pollinators. Cypermethrin is a synthetic pyrethroid insecticide known for its high toxicity to bees, pollinators and aquatic organisms, as well as its suspected effects on the human endocrine system. Scientific assessments have long warned that no realistic “safe use” can be identified, particularly due to spray drift and long-term exposure. Despite these risks, the substance was re-approved in the EU in 2021. In December 2025, the Court of Justice of the European Union  ruled that the European Commission acted unlawfully in renewing its approval. The judges found that the decision relied on unscientific and unrealistic mitigation measures, ignored EFSA’s conclusions, and failed to assess the long-term and cumulative (“cocktail”) toxicity of cypermethrin-based products. The case, brought by PAN Europe , marks the first time a civil society organisation has successfully challenged an EU pesticide approval before the Court. The ruling annuls the Commission’s refusal to review its own decision and obliges it to reassess the approval, opening the door to a possible withdrawal of cypermethrin from the EU market. Beyond the specific case, the judgment carries broader implications. The Court reaffirmed that pesticide decisions must be science-based, properly justified, and aligned with the precautionary principle  — sending a strong signal for the protection of bees, biodiversity, and public health. Crucially, the ruling also exposes a systemic issue: the lack of transparency in EU decision-making. The Court confirmed that restricting access to key information in pesticide approvals — often handled through comitology procedures, violates citizens’ fundamental rights and undermines democratic accountability. This comes at a particularly sensitive moment. Recent European Commission proposals to simplify procedures under the Food and Feed Omnibus risk weakening oversight while further limiting public scrutiny. The Court’s message is clear: efficiency cannot come at the expense of transparency, participation, and accountability. This judgment therefore represents a double milestone: the first successful legal challenge by civil society against an EU pesticide approval a clear legal recognition that opacity in regulatory decision-making is unlawful Ultimately, the ruling reinforces a fundamental principle: citizens have the right to know how decisions affecting their health, environment, and biodiversity are made — and on what scientific basis. Discover more on PAN Europe’s website Take part in the campaign “For Health, Bees and Farmers”

Europe cannot restore nature without reducing pesticide use. Scientific evidence shows that chemical pesticides are a major driver of biodiversity loss, ecosystem degradation, and health risks. Integrating pesticide reduction into National Restoration Plans is essential to achieve the EU Nature Restoration Regulation and build resilient food systems . The EU Nature Restoration Regulation sets ambitious targets to restore ecosystems across Europe, from agricultural land and forests to rivers, urban areas, and marine environments. However, these objectives cannot be achieved without addressing one of the most pervasive drivers of environmental degradation: the use of chemical pesticides . A substantial and growing body of scientific evidence shows that pesticides play a central role in: decline of insects and pollinators; reduction of farmland bird populations; degradation of soil biodiversity; contamination of water systems; increasing risks to human health. A prerequisite for effective restoration The joint recommendations developed by BeeLife and PAN Europe  clearly identify pesticide reduction as a precondition for successful nature restoration . Integrating clear and measurable pesticide-reduction targets into National Restoration Plans would: accelerate ecosystem recovery strengthen climate resilience enhance food security improve public health outcomes Proven and practical solutions The transition away from chemical dependency is not hypothetical, it is already underway. Evidence from across Europe demonstrates that: organic farming  significantly increases biodiversity Integrated Pest Management (IPM)  reduces pesticide impacts without compromising yields pesticide-free urban policies  improve environmental quality and public health farmers can reduce pesticide use without undermining economic viability These approaches confirm that reducing reliance on chemical inputs is both feasible and economically sustainable . Ensuring policy coherence For restoration efforts to succeed, alignment across EU policies is essential. Key priorities include: aligning the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)  with restoration objectives; providing farmers with targeted financial incentives and advisory support ; strengthening pollinator protection measures ; phasing out environmentally harmful subsidies . Such coherence ensures that public funding actively supports ecosystem recovery rather than contradicting it. A strategic investment in Europe’s future Reducing pesticide use is not merely an environmental necessity, it is a strategic investment  in: resilient and sustainable food systems; healthier populations; long-term ecosystem stability. Without decisive action, biodiversity loss will continue, environmental degradation will intensify, and agricultural systems will become increasingly vulnerable. 👉 Download the publication

A growing coalition of environmental organisations is stepping up efforts to oppose the European Commission’s proposed Food and Feed Omnibus, warning that the package could significantly weaken existing protections for health, biodiversity and food systems. At the heart of the concern is a shift in policy direction: measures presented as simplification and competitiveness risk translating into deregulation, particularly in the areas of pesticides, environmental safeguards and food safety. For BeeLife and many civil society groups, this comes at precisely the wrong time — as pollinator decline accelerates and citizens’ calls for safer, more sustainable agriculture continue to be insufficiently addressed. A coordinated response from civil society In response, NGOs across Europe are launching and promoting a wave of petitions aimed at mobilising citizens and putting pressure on decision-makers. Among the most prominent is the #HandsOffNature  campaign led by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), BirdLife and others, which calls on EU leaders to defend environmental protections against what it describes as a systematic rollback driven by industrial interests. The platform WeMove Europe  has launched a petition urging the European Commission to halt plans that would weaken food safety and pesticide rules, framing the issue as a democratic concern as well as an environmental one. Another key initiative is the campaign “ For Health, Bees and Farmers ”, supported by more than 40 organisations including BeeLife, PAN Europe, Friends of The Earth Europe (FoEE) and WWF. The campaign seeks to bring citizens’ voices back into the debate, recalling that over 1.1 million Europeans previously supported the Save Bees and Farmers initiative calling for reduced pesticide use and stronger protections. In this context, BeeLife has launched a  dedicated section on its website -  to bring together these initiatives, offering an overview of the most relevant petitions and enabling citizens across Europe to better understand and actively engage with issues that directly affect their health, environment and future . Discover more on the campaign page Why now? The mobilisation reflects a broader concern that the Omnibus proposal could: weaken science-based decision-making extend the use of harmful pesticide substances reduce safeguards for biodiversity, water and public health As discussions on the Food and Feed Omnibus continue, the coming months are likely to prove decisive, not only for pesticide regulation, but for the broader direction of Europe’s environmental and agricultural policies .