2025: Farming for pollinators: Unlocking economic and ecological gains

Residence Palace, Brussels (Hybrid Event)

Wednesday, April 2, 2025

09:00 - 14:00 (CET)

Pollinators are vital not only for crop production but also for enhancing product quality and market value. This conference will delve into the economic, environmental, and social advantages of pollinators within agricultural landscapes, providing insights into farming practices that benefit both pollinators and stakeholders throughout the agri-food value chain.

The Institute for Environmental Policy (IEEP), in partnership with the European Landowners Organisation (ELO), invites you to a pivotal science-policy conference focusing on the indispensable yet often underappreciated role of pollinators in agriculture. This event is part of Safeguard, a four-year EU-funded Horizon 2020 project aimed at reversing the decline of wild pollinators across Europe by implementing effective policy and practice solutions.

Safeguard is a Horizon 2020 project dedicated to halting the decline of wild pollinators. The project is coordinated by the University of Würzburg with 25 international partners.

Agenda

Apr 02, 2025

09:00 - 14:00 (CET)

Residence Palace, Polak Room, rue de la Loi 155, Brussels

09:00 - 09:30 (CET)

Registration and coffee

09:30 - 09:45 (CET)

Welcome and opening remarks

09:45 - 11:00 (CET)

Session 1: The economics of pollination – Beyond yield increases

This session will focus on the emerging research surrounding the economic implications of pollination in the agri-food sector. Studies show that pollination doesn’t just impact crop yields, it also enhances product quality, which can translate into higher market value. Understanding and quantifying these economic benefits could incentivise pollinator-friendly farming practices. The panel will bring together key actors from across the value chain, offering diverse perspectives on the economic value of pollination and how businesses can benefit from investing in pollinator-friendly approaches.

11:00 - 11:30 (CET)

Coffee break

11:30 - 13:00 (CET)

Session 2: Farming for pollinators – Environmental and policy perspectives

The second session will delve into the broader environmental benefits of pollinator-friendly land management. What ecosystem services do pollinators provide beyond crop production? How can landowners and farmers integrate pollinator-friendly interventions into their practices? What policy incentives exist, or should be developed, to support pollinator-friendly farming? This discussion will feature the latest research, best practices from the field, and insights from policymakers, fostering a science-policy dialogue on how to create win-win strategies for both agriculture and biodiversity.

13:00 - 14:00 (CET)

Network lunch

Organisers