- The plan includes scaling up pollen-rich field margins across the EU.
- A comprehensive field monitoring program for bee health will be established.
- Strict measures to mitigate bee exposure to chemicals will be mandatory.
- Investment in new technologies to reduce dust emissions from treated seeds will continue.
Action Plan Overview
Bayer CropScience and Syngenta have proposed an action plan to address the EU stalemate on bee health, following the European Commission's failure to reach an agreement on EFSA’s report regarding neonicotinoid crop protection products.
Key Features
The plan includes scaling up the provision of pollen-rich flowering field margins across the EU, which will be sown alongside bee-attractive crops treated with neonicotinoids. This initiative builds on Syngenta’s “Operation Pollinator” program, which has shown significant increases in pollinator populations.
Field Monitoring Program
A comprehensive field monitoring program for bee health will be established, following EU Reference Laboratory guidelines. This program will include the detection of crop protection chemicals, particularly neonicotinoids, and veterinary products.
Exposure Mitigation Measures
Strict measures to mitigate the exposure risk to bees will be mandatory. These include high-quality seed treatment at certified production sites, the use of deflectors in planting machinery, application by certified users, and improved communication between farmers and beekeepers. Bayer CropScience has developed “SweepAir,” a new air-cleaning technology for maize-sowing equipment, which significantly reduces dust emissions.
Investment in New Technologies
Both companies are investing in new technologies to further reduce dust emissions from the planting of treated seeds. Some solutions are ready for deployment, and ongoing investment in research and development will continue.
Research and Development
Further investment will be made in researching and developing solutions for the main factors impacting bee health, such as diseases and viruses identified by the European Commission. Bayer CropScience and Syngenta commit to supporting long-term pilot studies to demonstrate the effectiveness of these solutions.
