Pollinators and Pesticides: Keeping our Bees Safe

This booklet delivers an overview of the critical relationship between pollinators and agricultural practices, emphasizing the essential role that bees and other insects play in global food production and biodiversity. Drawing on scientific data and policy perspectives, the document explains how the vast majority of food crops and wild flowering plants rely on animal pollinators, with more than 75% of leading food types requiring their services. It details the alarming decline of pollinator populations, particularly in Europe and North America, where up to 37% of bee species are declining, attributing these trends to factors such as pesticide use, habitat loss, and climate change. In addition to outlining the direct and indirect impacts of pesticides—ranging from reduced bee navigation to diminished floral resources—the document proposes actionable solutions like Integrated Pest Management, increased biodiversity, and habitat restoration.