In the European Union, 78 % of native flora and 84 % of crops are either partially or fully dependent on insects for pollination. But significant pollinator loss has been documented over time across the EU. According to the European Red List of Bees, around 9 % of all bee species are threatened in the EU. In this episode, we’ll talk about the key role pollinators play in nature, the threats they face and EU action to protect them.

EPRS policy podcast - Protecting pollinators

EUROLAT - 8th Ordinary Plenary session  Joint meeting of the committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights and of the Committee on economic, Financial and commercial Affairs

EUROLAT - 8th Ordinary Plenary session  Meeting on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights

ENVI Committee meeting - Protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (Recast)

Europe hosts a rich diversity of wild pollinators, including over 2 000 species of bees, more than 480 species of butterflies, almost 1 000 species of hoverflies and thousands of other insect species. In the European Union (EU), 78 % of native flora and 84 % of crops are either partially or fully dependent on insects for pollination. However, significant pollinator loss has been documented over time across the EU. It entails risks for both societies and ecosystems. Pollinator protection is a key issue for the European Parliament, which made clear that the revision of the EFSA bee guidance document should ensure a level of protection at least equivalent to that laid down in 2013. Parliament also called for an urgent revision of the EU pollinators initiative, a ban on all neonicotinoid-based pesticides and the inclusion of EU-wide binding pesticide reduction targets in the upcoming revision of the directive on the sustainable use of pesticides.

EPRS - Protecting pollinator diversity in the EU

Nearly three quarters of emerging infectious diseases in humans are caused by zoonotic pathogens. The majority of them originate in wildlife. Human activities, such as trade in wildlife, increase opportunities for animal–human interactions and facilitate zoonotic disease transmission. Several significant diseases, including Ebola and the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, have been traced, in part, to substantial animal-human contact along the trade chain. Current information suggests that the Covid-19 pandemic may have started from a local Chinese wildlife market. Wildlife trade, though difficult to quantify, is one of the most lucrative trades in the world. It is regulated under the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), an international agreement to which the European Union (EU) and its Member States are parties. Restrictions: ©The material may not be edited and must be shown entirely.

EPRS - Coronavirus and the trade of wildlife

Aquakultur sollte eigentlich die natürlichen Fischbestände in den Meeren schonen. Doch oft ist das Gegenteil der Fall. Für die Ernährung der Zuchtfische wird häufig die vielfache Menge an Wildfisch verbraucht. Wenn die Aquakultur in natürlicher Umgebung praktiziert wird, belasten außerdem Parasiten und Rückstände aus der Zufütterung das Meer mit seiner Flora und Fauna. Multitrophische Aquakultur soll dem abhelfen.

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EPRS - Protecting pollinator diversity in the EU

EPRS - Coronavirus and the trade of wildlife

Futuris: Umweltfreundlichere Aquakultur durch mehr Vielfalt

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ENVI Committee meeting - Protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (Recast)

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EUROLAT - 8th Ordinary Plenary session Joint meeting of the committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights and of the Committee on economic, Financial and commercial Affairs

EUROLAT - 8th Ordinary Plenary session Joint meeting of the committee on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights and of the Committee on economic, Financial and commercial Affairs

EUROLAT - 8th Ordinary Plenary session Meeting on Political Affairs, Security and Human Rights

ENVI Committee meeting - Protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (Recast)

ENVI Committee meeting - Protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (Recast)

ENVI Committee meeting - Protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (Recast)

ENVI Committee meeting - Protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (Recast)

ENVI Committee meeting - Protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (Recast)

ENVI Committee meeting - Protection of species of wild fauna and flora by regulating trade therein (Recast)

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