Save the Bees ECI Gets a 'We're Way Ahead of You' from EU Commission
The European Commission has recently published its response to the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) titled "Save bees and farmers!" The ECI, which collected over one million statements of support, calls for a significant reduction in pesticide use, the restoration of natural ecosystems to promote biodiversity, and increased support for small-scale and diverse farming. In response, the Commission has emphasised the measures already taken or proposed under the European Green Deal, including the EU farm to fork strategy, the biodiversity strategy, and the zero pollution action plan, letting the supporters of the ECI know that the Commission has been very busy since 2019 when the initiative was submitted and began collecting support.
Response to request to reduce the use and risk of chemical pesticides
In response to the request to significantly reduce pesticide use, phasing out synthetic pesticides in EU agriculture by 80% by 2030, starting with the most hazardous, to become free of synthetic pesticides by 2035, the Commission refers to the proposal for a regulation on the sustainable use of plant protection products (COM/2022/305 final), which aims to reduce the risk and use of chemical pesticides in EU agriculture by 50% by 2030. This proposal seeks to reinforce existing efforts to minimise pesticide usage in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, improve the EU pesticide authorisation system, and promote the adoption of integrated pest management and alternative approaches or techniques.
The proposed regulation includes the following key elements:
- Setting harmonised risk reduction targets at the national level, with the aim of achieving a 50% reduction in the overall risk and use of chemical pesticides by 2030. Member States will be required to establish action plans to reach these targets.
- Strengthening the implementation of integrated pest management (IPM) by providing clearer guidelines and criteria, as well as introducing a system to monitor and report on IPM adoption by farmers.
- Enhancing the protection of sensitive areas, such as Natura 2000 sites and drinking water protection zones, by restricting or banning the use of pesticides in these areas.
- Encouraging the development and adoption of alternative, sustainable plant protection methods and products, including support for research and innovation, and the promotion of organic farming practices.
A recent report submitted by MEP Sarah Weiner asks for an even more ambitious 80% reduction of the most hazardous substances based on the justification that Reg 1107/2009/EC, Article 50 already requires Member States to phase out the most hazardous substances anyway. This would effectively put the goal at the level the ECI is asking for.
The proposed regulation is currently awaiting committee decision with a further impact assessment requested by member states last December.
Response to the request to restore nature, biodiversity and conserve pollinators
In response to the request to restore nature and biodiversity, the Commission emphasises the importance of the proposed nature restoration law and the new deal for pollinators, which aim to reverse the decline of pollinator populations by 2030 and bring nature back to agricultural land. These efforts strengthen the EU biodiversity strategy in supporting the recovery of ecosystems and promoting sustainable agriculture. The Commission asserts that by combining these measures, they are already demonstrating their commitment to addressing the concerns raised by the Save the Bees ECI and contributing to the overall health of Europe's environment.
Response to the request to take measures to promote small-scale, sustainable agriculture
In their communication, the European Commission emphasises the extensive measures taken through the CAP 2023 - 2027 to facilitate the transition to sustainable agriculture. The CAP supports small-scale and diverse farming, sustainable, agro-ecological, and organic practices, as well as enables independent farmer-based training and research into pesticide-free and GMO-free farming.
To bridge the income gap between agricultural and non-agricultural sectors, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) allocates around EUR 29 billion annually to support small- and medium-sized farms. This includes an EU annual contribution of EUR 60 million for the apiculture sector, which covers technical assistance, training, advisory services, research, laboratory analysis on apiculture products and bee losses, promotion, and marketing. Additionally, the CAP supports investments to improve production, combat pests and diseases, and prevent damage from adverse climatic conditions. These measures aim to maintain agriculture in marginal areas, limit over-specialization, and avoid the concentration of production in the most productive areas, fostering a greater diversity of production and farming systems across rural regions.
In terms of sustainable, agro-ecological, and organic practices, Member States have outlined plans under the CAP to help farmers transition to more sustainable farming practices, including:
- Reduced pesticide use: With an EU target value of over 26% for agricultural land receiving support for the reduction in the use and risk of pesticides, farmers can apply for eco-schemes on integrated pest management or other types of pesticide management.
- Biodiversity conservation: The EU target value for support to the conservation or restoration of biodiversity is estimated at 31% of the EU's agricultural area (almost 49.5 million hectares).
- Agro-forestry and agro-ecology: The EU target value for supporting new afforested land, including agro-forestry and wooden landscape features, is close to 623,000 hectares.
- Organic farming: The CAP heavily promotes and supports organic farming, with an aim to achieve coverage of at least 25% of the EU's agricultural area by 2030.
The Commission also underscores the importance of advisory services in facilitating the shift toward more sustainable farming practices. The majority of Member States plan to allocate CAP funding to support these services, fostering an environment that encourages innovation and knowledge sharing. The Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) connects advisors with cutting-edge research, ensuring farmers have access to the latest techniques and innovative practices.
The European Commission's response to the "Save bees and farmers!" ECI showcases a strong commitment to tackling the concerns highlighted by the initiative, signaling that they are already progressing in a direction that aligns with the expectations of numerous EU citizens. While these strategies and plans appear promising on paper, the transition towards sustainability represents a massive challenge for all industries, requiring significant investments in time, financial resources, and efficient change management. It remains to be seen how these strategies and initiatives will translate into tangible actions on the ground and whether such ambitious targets can be achieved within the given timeframe. This unfolding process will be a vital test of the European Commission's resolve and the effectiveness of its policies in driving meaningful change for a more sustainable future.