EU launches pollinator monitoring scheme to help restore biodiversity

The European Commission has published a legislative act setting up an EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme with a view to helping EU member states reverse the decline of pollinator populations by 2030. Pollinators are known to provide crucial ecosystem services on which our economy, health and quality of life depend, including pollinating 80% of our food crops and wild flowering plants.

However, one in three bee, butterfly and hoverfly species is in decline and one in ten bee and butterfly species is threatened with extinction. Restoring Europe’s degraded nature is therefore urgent to safeguard biodiversity, food security and nature’s resilience.

Reliable, efficient and comparable monitoring is seen as a cornerstone of effective nature restoration. With today’s scheme, the Commission will support EU Member States to ensure that they can monitor pollinator populations efficiently and effectively, while allowing flexibility to adapt to local needs and realities. The scheme provides a standardised, robust and science-based method for monitoring pollinator diversity and populations.

The Commission says the common framework guarantees that the annual data collected across all national territories is comparable and reliable, providing a clear picture of progress toward the 2030 target. It also minimises administrative burden on national level, allowing national authorities to focus on implementation and restoration actions.

Following the entry into force of the delegated act in 20 days, Member States should implement the EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme within a year. The Commission will continue to support capacity building for pollinator monitoring in Member States, including by setting up a dedicated helpdesk for national authorities.

Source: Eubusiness