Insects are in decline across the world because of industrial farming and heavy pesticide use which are threatening food production, according to the Insect Atlas released today by Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung and Friends of the Earth Europe.
Insects keep the planet’s ecological system running, and ensure our food supply – 75% of our most important crops depend on pollination by insects. Insects also improve soil quality and reduce plant pests by decomposing manure and dead plant matter.
The Insect Atlas shows that insect species and pollinators are in severe decline because of pesticide-dependent industrial farming, and provides recommendations for what the EU and national governments should to to reverse this.