About: bees
EU honey harvests feel the sting of climate change with record losses
Honey harvests dropped by 40% this year, on the back of extreme weather conditions, according to EU farmers association COPA-COGECA, who sounded the alarm and warned that the sector urgently needs help from the European Commission.
Member states reserve right to ban pesticides authorised in EU, rules EU court
Europe’s highest court has concluded that member states have the right to ban pesticides even if they are permitted at the EU level, provided they officially inform the European Commission. The ruling, issued on Thursday (8 October), was taken after...
EU ban on neonicotinoids must be ‘strictly respected’, says Green MEP
After announcing €30 billion in support of an ecological transition last Thursday, the French government presented a controversial bill authorising an exemption from the ban on neonicotinoid insecticides, a class of pesticides suspected to be harmful to bees. German Green MEP Martin Häusling explains to EURACTIV FRANCE why he is challenging the decision.
France mulls reintroduction of neonicotinoids, faces backlash from NGOs and Germany
At its back-to-school meeting on Tuesday (1 September), France's National Council for Ecological Transition addressed the controversial issue of reintroducing neonicotinoids, a class of pesticides, to save the sugar beet industry. The issue is causing quite a stir both at home and across the Rhine. EURACTIV France reports.
Pesticides banned in EU still in use in Bulgaria
In her latest investigation, EURACTIV Bulgaria’s Valia Ahchieva reveals the use of EU-banned pesticides, conflicts of interest, siphoning of European funds, lies and gross neglect of human health and bees’ life by the authorities.
Gene editing, CAP reform bickering, hospitality sector
Welcome to EURACTIV’s AgriFood Brief, your weekly update on all things Agriculture & Food in the EU. You can subscribe here if you haven’t done so yet. German Green faction pushes for gene editing, overhaul of regulation In an unprecedented...
Parliament urges cuts in pesticide use to save Europe’s pollinators
In a resolution adopted yesterday, the European Parliament called on the EU executive Commission to beef up its Pollinators Initiative, saying EU-wide mandatory pesticide reduction targets are needed to halt the decline in species.
EU will not renew authorisation of ‘bee killer’ substance thiacloprid
Based on a conclusion by the EU's food safety authority (EFSA), the EU Commission announced on Tuesday (22 October) that it will not renew the authorisation of the "bee killer" substance thiacloprid. This means that the substance can still be used until April 2020. EURACTIV Germany reports.
French beekeepers warn about ‘catastrophic’ honey harvest
Alarmed French beekeepers and farming groups warned Tuesday of a "catastrophic" honey harvest this year due to adverse weather.
German action plan for insect protection: Farmers want greater say
With insects declining at an alarming rate, the German environment ministry wants an action plan to protect them before the end of the year. But farmers are feeling ignored in the process and are calling for more environmental protection incentives. EURACTIV Germany reports.
EU Commission to crack down on recalcitrant member states over neonicotinoids
The European Commission will trigger a never-before-used option against two member states over the abuse of so-called "emergency authorisations" for neonicotinoids, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis said in a letter sent to NGOs dated 19 February and seen by EURACTIV.
New pesticide may harm bees as much as those to be replaced
A new class of pesticides positioned to replace neonicotinoids may be just as harmful to crop-pollinating bees, researchers cautioned Wednesday (15 August).
Plight of the bees hits unaware businesses
Declining numbers of bees, butterflies and midges could leave companies facing the prospect of reduced crop quality and a shortage of raw materials. A United Nations-backed study found that most businesses surveyed were unsure of what action to take.
Time to end the pesticide merry-go-round
On 22 March, EU member states are meeting again to discuss a full ban on the world’s most widely used pesticides, neonicotinoids. It’s a crucial chance to protect our pollinators, children and crops and rethink our whole food system, writes Dave Goulson.
Neonicotinoids threaten bees, EU food safety watchdog re-confirms
Neonicotinoid pesticides put at risk wild bees and honeybees, crucial for pollination and reproduction of many plants, according to new assessments published on 28 February by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
EU unanimously backs UN World Bee Day
The United Nations declared 20 May to become World Bee Day, adopting a resolution proposed by Slovenia and supported by all EU member states, which aims to raise awareness of the insects' importance and warn about their dwindling numbers.
Scientists urge action against insect decline
Scientists have come to Brussels to warn policymakers of the negative impact of pesticides on bees as the Commission prepares to propose a full ban on neonicotinoids.
Environmentalists call for pesticide ban as study shows extent of insect decline
Scientists have raised the alarm after a study 27 years in the making found the biomass of flying insects in nature protected areas has declined by more than 75% since 1990. The causes of the decline are not fully understood.
Justice for bees: French court to look at pesticide ban
An environmental organisation has filed a lawsuit to ban sulfoxaflor, a pesticide that has fallen through the cracks of the ban on neonicotinoids. EURACTIV France reports.
Study: Bee-harming pesticides in 75% of honey worldwide
Traces of pesticides that act as nerve agents on bees have been found in 75% of honey worldwide, raising concern about the survival of these crucial crop pollinators, researchers said yesterday (5 October).
Spanish honey production drops, as disappearing bees continue to sound alarm bells
Honey production in Spain dropped 4.08% last year, the country's agriculture ministry warned. A decline in bees, which pollinate between 5% and 8% of global food production, poses a serious threat the food chain. EURACTIV's partner EFEagro reports.
US journal Science publishes study linking neonicotinoids to bee deaths
Two of the most extensive field studies conducted to date in Europe and Canada have confirmed the hypothesis that neonicotinoid insecticides are harmful to bees and other pollinating species.
Ethiopia’s huge honey production potential in search of modern techniques
The beehives of Ethiopia, Africa's top honey producer, make about a quarter of the continent's honey, but travellers who come to sample the liquid gold often find there isn't enough to go around .