Opinion Factsheet 

Local and regional authorities accelerating the implementation of the EU Pollinators Initiative

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Opinion Number: CDR 3508/2021
Rapporteur: NILSSON Frida
Commission: ENVE
Status: Adopted
Date: 26/01/2022
 
Contribute to the EU policy on pollinators, bringing the local and regional perspective, also in the perspective of the revision of the Pollinators Initiative.
Contribute to the wider EU Biodiversity policy.
The main impact of the CoR opinion will be assessed once the Revised Pollinators Initiative will be published.
Please see below information on the upcoming revision.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13142-EU-pollinators-initiative-revision_en
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS

 underlines the importance of pollinators to the sustainability of our societies and nature. Pollinators play a key role both in food systems and in maintaining biodiversity and landscapes. It is therefore not only domesticated pollinators that need support; viable habitats for wild pollinators must also be provided, as they are a part of nature's biodiversity. Domesticated pollinators should be seen as a complement to wild pollinators, and not the other way around;

 highlights the possibilities and responsibilities of local and regional authorities in accelerating the implementation of the Pollinators Initiative, now and even more so in the future;

 welcomes the positive direction taken by the EU Pollinators Initiative when implemented in 2018. Is concerned to note, however, that since then, the trend of a declining pollinator population has continued. Is thankful that the IPBES Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services concludes that, despite insufficient action, it is not too late for the climate and for biodiversity, but that transformative action is needed at all levels;

 supports, therefore, the conclusions of the Special Report 15/2020 by the European Court of Auditors and has high expectations for the revision of the EU Pollinators Initiative;

 calls for legally binding targets whose scope covers pollinators, as part of the upcoming European Commission initiative on nature restoration targets under the EU biodiversity strategy; In this light, offers to support the implementation of a new EU Pollinators Initiative, in particular regarding the implementation and monitoring of activities;

 calls on the Commission to address the decline of pollinators internationally and to advocate strong measures to protect pollinators and their habitats during the second part of the CBD COP15, scheduled to take place from 25 April to 8 May 2022 in Kunming, China;

 stands ready to be part of the EU delegation to the UN CBD COP15 and future CBD COPs in order to share the views of local and regional authorities in the EU and the measures they have already implemented and also to help build on the success of the Edinburgh Declaration in the field of protecting pollinators and their habitats.

Importance

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Medium
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Public hearing on European Citizens' Initiative: Save bees and farmers

The European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) "save bees and farmers" https://www.savebeesandfarmers.eu/eng
has reached the 1 million signatures required for the European Commission to consider the proposal.

On 24 January the Parliament hosted an hearing on this ECI with participation of the NAT rapporteur on sustainable pesticides. Webpage of the hearing https://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/en/envi-agri-public-hearing-on-save-bees-an/product-details/20230118CAN68427
Report of the organizers: https://www.savebeesandfarmers.eu/eng/news/official-hearing-brussels-highlights/

On 1 December 2022 the organizers also had ameeting with the European Commission. Report of the organizers: https://www.savebeesandfarmers.eu/eng/news/meeting-eu-commission-savebeesandfarmers-message/

The file is also connected with the pollinators opinion.

 
24 Jan
 

Communication: A New Deal for Pollinators

The European Commission has publsihed the new Communication: " A New Deal for Pollinators", as a revided EU Pollinators Initiative.
This strategy includes many elements on the local and regional dimension, including a specific role for the Committee of the Regions (see below Action 11.3).

See in particular PRIORITY III: Mobilising society and promoting strategic planning and cooperation at all levels that includes:
- Action 11.2: The Commission and Member States should support and encourage action for pollinator conservation at regional and l**ocal levels, including through the EU cohesion policy funds. Regional and local authorities should develop, in close collaboration with stakeholders and local communities, **action plans that contribute to EU and national efforts for reversing the decline of pollinators by 2030.

  • Action 11.3: The* European Committee of the Regions* should support the implementation of the Pollinators Initiative among local and regional authorities, promoting the sharing of knowledge and best practice on how to protect pollinators. The Commission and the European Committee of the Regions should cooperate to promote involvement of all levels of government, ensuring adequate support, encouragement and coordination for actions implemented at local and regional level.

The commuication includes other references to elments coherent with the CoR opinion. Impact assessment in preparation will be included in Kiklos.

 
24 Jan
 

World Bee Day

To raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development, the UN designated 20 May as World Bee Day.

The CoR facebook account shared a declaration of CoR rapporteur on pollinators, Ms Nilsson.

 
20 May
 

Consultation on the new Pollinators initiative

The European Commission has published a new Roadmap for the New Pollinators initiative.
https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/better-regulation/have-your-say/initiatives/13142-EU-pollinators-initiative-revision_en

The roadmap inclides a consultation, open from 17 March to 9 June.

The European Commission is organizing a Consultation workshop
"Local and regional planning for wild pollinators – policy actions to conserve and restore"
The CoR Rapporteru, Ms Nilsson is scheduled to intervene as speaker.

 
17 Mar
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