EU - MEPs call for a reduction in pesticides to protect bees
In April 2018, the EU decided to completely ban the outdoor use of neonicotinoids, but several Member States notified emergency derogations related to the use of these substances on their territory.
The Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee thus approved a resolution proposing to reduce the use of pesticides as a common indicator to assess the effectiveness of national measures for the protection of bees and other pollinators. The same body required the allocation of additional funds to support research into the causes of bee mortality and to protect the diversity of pollinator species.
The text underlines that the current measures are inadequate to protect these species from changes in land use, habitat, intensive agriculture, climate change and invasive alien species. The decision will be voted at the January plenary session in Strasbourg.
Source: EU Pressroom