The European pollinator initiative has had a tremendous public response from across the European Union, believed to be the fourth highest all time response to and EU environmental consultation. In total, 66,579 public replies were received.
It is estimated that 84% of EU crop species and 78% of wildflower species rely on insect pollination. The ecosystem service provided to the EU by pollinators is valued at €22 billion per year. Pollinators provide an excellent indicator of the health of our environment and underpin essential services.
As well as the mass public response, 29 wildlife organisations from across Europe made a joint submission to the pollinator initiative consultation, put out by the 28 member European Union.
The key area of common ground is developing a full EU Pollinator Strategy in collaboration with Member States to deliver:
1. Remaining areas of wild flowers, semi -natural meadows and existing High Nature Value agriculture maintained, supported and promoted.
2. B-Lines/BeeLines enabling pollinators and other wildlife to disperse effectively and providing the conditions for populations to recover.
3. Agri-environment schemes successfully deliver habitat for priority pollinator species.
4. Pollinator species and habitats listed in the Habitats Directive in FCS.
5. EU pesticide approval process and subsequent risk management ensures pollinator safety.
Matt Shardlow, CEO of Buglife, who coordinated the response, commented. “The public response has been massive, a real push for positive action for pollinators. It was also pleasing to find such strong commonality of thought and support for pollinators across such a wide range of European charitable organisations. Hopefully, the EU will respond favourably to these ideas and help coordinate action to ensure the future of our pollinators.”
The full joint submission can be seen here.
Full list of signatories: Buglife – The Invertebrate Conservation Trust, Butterfly Conservation Europe, Friends of the Earth Europe, Vlinderstitchting (Dutch Butterfly Conservation), Environmental Justice Foundation, River of Flowers, Conchological Society, Bumblebee Conservation Trust, Freshwater Habitats Trust, Wildlife Trusts, Client Earth, Wildfowl and Wetland Trust, Mammal Society, Save Butterfly World, Pollinis, A Rocha, Edinburgh Entomological Club, People’s Trust for Endangered Species, Plantlife, British Arachnological Society, RSPB, Bijenstichting (Dutch Bee Conservation), Badenoch & Strathspey Conservation Group, Amateur Entomologists’ Society, SOS Polinizadores (SOS Pollinators), Federation of Irish Beekeepers’ Associations, Vilde bier i Danmark (Danish Association for Native Bee Conservation), British Dragonfly Society, Butterfly Conservation
