EU Commission validates Citizens' Initiative "Save Bees and Farmers!"

The EU Commission has declared the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) "Save Bees and Farmers" valid. Previously, the initiative had received more than one million valid signatures. Now the initiators are entitled to present their concerns in a public hearing in the EU Parliament and in talks with representatives of the EU Commission. In addition, the Commission is legally obliged to respond to the demands of the ECI.

The ECI calls for a ban on synthetic pesticides in Europe by 2035, the restoration of lost biodiversity in rural areas, and support for European farmers to switch to nature-friendly farming methods. The Environmental Institute, supporter and sponsor of the ECI, considers the successful citizens' initiative a strong democratic signal for an agricultural turnaround in Europe.