EU Launches Comprehensive Monitoring Scheme to Reverse Pollinator Decline by 2030

The European Commission officially adopted a new EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme (EU-PoMS) on November 26, 2025, marking a significant step towards safeguarding Europe's vital pollinator populations. This initiative aims to reverse the alarming decline of bees, butterflies, and other crucial insects by 2030, according to a recent announcement from the European Commission. The delegated regulation is set to enter into force on December 16, 2025, as reported by the European Commission.

This newly adopted scheme provides a standardized, science-based method for tracking pollinator diversity and abundance across all Member States. Its implementation is considered crucial for protecting biodiversity and ensuring long-term food security throughout the European Union, as highlighted by the European Commission. The objective is to establish a clear picture of progress towards the 2030 target, as stated by the Commission.

The EU-PoMS directly supports the ambitious goals of the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, which entered into force on August 19, 2024. This regulation includes a legally binding target for Member States to halt and reverse pollinator decline by 2030, according to information from the European Commission. Member States are mandated to implement the monitoring scheme by December 16, 2026, as detailed by the European Commission.

Pollinator populations across Europe have faced severe threats, with alarming statistics indicating a crisis for biodiversity and agricultural systems. The European Environment Agency reported on June 18, 2025, that nearly 40% of hoverfly species, 20% of butterflies, and 9% of bee species are currently threatened with extinction. This decline is driven by multiple factors, including habitat loss and pesticide use, as noted by the European Environment Agency.

The economic implications of this decline are substantial, with the European Environment Agency estimating the annual value of insect pollination for EU agriculture at between EUR 5 and 15 billion. Without effective intervention, the stability of food systems and the health of ecosystems are at significant risk, a concern echoed by the European Commission. The scheme aims to provide robust data to inform effective restoration actions, according to the Commission.

The European Commission emphasized that the scheme will reduce administrative burdens by offering a common scientific framework, allowing national authorities to focus on implementing restoration measures. This collaborative approach ensures that data collected across national territories will be comparable and reliable, providing a clear picture of progress, as explained by the European Commission. The initiative builds on previous efforts, including the revised EU Pollinators Initiative of 2023, as noted by European Sources Online.

• Alarming Decline of Pollinators: Europe is experiencing a dramatic loss of its wild pollinator populations, including bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and moths. The European Environment Agency reported on June 18, 2025, that approximately one in three bee, butterfly, and hoverfly species are in decline, with one in ten bee and butterfly species facing extinction. This crisis is further underscored by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which noted on October 11, 2025, that the number of wild bee species at risk of extinction in Europe has more than doubled in the last decade.

• Key Drivers of Pollinator Loss: The primary causes of this widespread decline are multifaceted. According to the European Environment Agency in its June 18, 2025 briefing, these include intensive agricultural practices leading to habitat loss, the excessive use of pesticides, the impacts of climate change, and the spread of invasive alien species. These pressures destroy nesting sites, reduce food resources, and directly harm pollinator populations, as detailed by the European Environment Agency.

• Economic and Ecological Imperatives: Pollinators are indispensable for both natural ecosystems and agricultural productivity. The European Commission states that 80% of EU crop and wild flowering plant species depend on insect pollination. The economic contribution of pollination to EU agriculture is substantial, estimated to be at least EUR 5–15 billion annually, impacting crops like apples, tomatoes, and almonds, as reported by the European Environment Agency. Their decline thus poses a direct threat to food security and ecosystem resilience.

• Legal Framework: The Nature Restoration Regulation: The EU Pollinator Monitoring Scheme is firmly rooted in the EU Nature Restoration Regulation, which became legally binding on August 19, 2024. Article 10 of this regulation specifically mandates Member States to reverse the decline of pollinators by 2030 and to achieve an increasing trend thereafter, as confirmed by the European Commission. This regulation provides the legal impetus for the standardized monitoring methods now being implemented, according to iucn.

• Evolution of EU Pollinator Initiatives: The current efforts build upon the initial EU Pollinators Initiative, first adopted in 2018, which aimed to improve knowledge and tackle the causes of pollinator decline. This initiative underwent a significant revision in 2023, resulting in "A new deal for pollinators," which integrated feedback and set out a comprehensive action framework, as reported by European Sources Online. The monitoring scheme is a critical component of this revised strategy, according to the European Commission.

• Standardized Monitoring Methodology: The EU-PoMS establishes a common scientific framework for all Member States to monitor pollinator diversity and abundance. This methodology, refined by expert groups like STING (Science and Technology for Pollinating Insects) and SPRING (Strengthening Pollinator Recovery through Indicators and Monitoring), ensures comparable and reliable annual data collection. The core scheme will focus on essential pollinators such as wild bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and moths, utilizing methods like transect walks and light traps, as explained by SLU researchers on November 14, 2024.

• Implementation and Capacity Building: Member States are expected to implement the EU-PoMS by December 16, 2026, with the European Commission providing necessary tools and scientific foundations. A key challenge is the shortage of skilled taxonomists required for accurate species identification, as highlighted by SLU researchers. The scheme also emphasizes citizen engagement and investment in research and innovation to make monitoring more automated and cost-efficient, according to the European Commission.

• Broader Societal Engagement: The decline of pollinators is recognized as not just an environmental issue but a societal challenge, impacting human well-being and the economy. Initiatives like the EU Pollinator Week, held annually, serve as platforms for stakeholders, including beekeepers, farmers, NGOs, and scientists, to collaborate and raise awareness, as noted by the EU Pollinator Week organizers. This collective effort is crucial for the long-term success of pollinator recovery across Europe, as emphasized by WWF.