With BeeSafe, WWF is asking everyone for help to say no to the most dangerous pesticides and participate in the public consultation of the European Commission on policies for the defense of domestic and wild bees and other pollinators.
He is about to end up run over, his mother saves himDying of bees and depopulation of hives, decline of bumblebees and all pollinating insects: a very delicate issue on which the shadow of questionable political choices falls, aimed more at attributing financial contributions to farmers who use pesticides, rather than to those who practice organic farming.
The WWF is not there and with BeeSafe is asking everyone for help to say no to the most dangerous pesticides and participate in the public consultation of the European Commission on policies for the defense of domestic and wild bees and other pollinators.
It is now known that organic farming is the only truly sustainable agricultural practice for pollinators: not only domestic and wild bees, but also wasps, butterflies, moths, beetles, birds, bats and other vertebrates, a people from which Pollination depends on almost 90% of all wild plants with flowers, while of the approximately 1.400 plants that produce food and industrial products in the world, almost 80% require pollination by animals.
The reduction of this most precious people? It is obvious that it could cause serious drops in agri-food production. But the European Union with its Common Agricultural Policy (CAP 2014 - 2020) does not seem to know this because, judging by the Rural Development Program of the second pillar of the CAP, gives more financial contributions to farmers who use pesticides compared to those who practice organic farming.
For 22 March the EU Commission will have to decide on the definitive ban of some neonicotinoid insecticides accused of being among the main responsible for the deaths of domestic and wild bees, as confirmed by a recent report presented by EFSA (European Food Safety Agency). .
Now, however, with the public consultation launched by the European Commission, whose deadline expires on 5 April, citizens can make their voices heard to ask for serious and concrete policies for the conservation of domestic and wild bees and other pollinating animals, asking immediately the ban on dangerous pesticides and greater support for organic farming. Here you will find all the information.
Why save bees and pollinators?
Because only wild bees (over 20 thousand species) are able to guarantee the pollination of the flowers on which 35% of world agricultural production depends, with an estimated economic value of over 153 billion euros each year globally and 22 billions of euros in Europe.
Furthermore, the main crops for human consumption in Europe need insect pollination to improve the quality and yields of products (some types of fruit, vegetables and nuts).
A 2005 Swiss study showed that the economic value of pollination linked to colonies of domestic bees is much higher than that deriving from direct apiculture products (honey, pollen, beeswax, etc.). In Switzerland, on average, bee colonies ensured an annual agricultural production worth about 256 million Swiss francs (213 million dollars), five times more than the value generated by honey production alone, equal to about 60 million. francs (about 50 million dollars). It is estimated that a single bee colony is able to generate a value of 1.260 Swiss francs (1.050 dollars) in pollinated fruits and berries compared to 258 Swiss francs (215 dollars) for direct beekeeping products, e.g. honey, wax. bee, pollen.
Finally, a large number of crops globally, such as coffee and cocoa, are also an important source of income for developing countries. Without pollinators, no more coffee, chocolate, apples and many other foods that are part of our daily life. Chocolate, for example, derives from the seeds of the cocoa tree, the annual world value of the harvest of its pods is 5,7 billion US dollars; these mind-boggling figures are based on the exclusive intervention of a very small Diptera, essential for the pollination of the flowers and without which we would no longer have chocolate.
To make your voice heard in defense of pollinators it is possible to mobilize with some simple steps:
1) Download the guide to filling out the questionnaire;
2) read the instructions to participate in the consultation;
3) fill out the questionnaire
BeeSafe is part of the “Change the Earth” campaign, promoted by Federbio for pesticide-free agriculture and the increase in agricultural area conducted with ecological agricultural practices.
Germana Carillo
Cover photo: © WWF-Brazil-Zig Koch
