European pollinators face a crisis due to climate change, pesticides, and habitat loss, threatening food security.
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The beekeeping sector in Italy is facing a deep crisis, with honey production decreasing by about 30% and bee mortality exceeding 10%, primarily due to drought, heatwaves, extreme weather, loss of plant diversity, pesticide effects, and the Varroa mite. Similar issues are reported across Europe, including significant bee losses in Czechia and Greece due to environmental stressors and diseases. Furthermore, European wild pollinator populations, including bees, bumblebees, and butterflies, are declining, with the European Environment Agency noting that about 40% of butterfly species, 20% of bumblebees, and 9% of bees are threatened with extinction. Pollinators are vital for the food supply, supporting around 80% of crops and having an economic value of 5–15 billion euros annually. Key drivers of this decline include the loss of semi-natural habitats due to intensive agriculture, excessive pesticide use, habitat loss in woodlands, invasive species, and climate change. The European Union is responding with strategies to halt pollinator decline by 2030, including the Nature Restoration Regulation, which mandates member states to stop population decreases and establish monitoring systems. The European Environment Agency urges the adoption of pollinator-friendly agricultural and forestry practices, such as reducing agrochemical use and integrating biodiversity protection into policy.
