Agriculture depends on biodiversity for essential aspects.

More than 80% of European crops depend upon insects for pollination
Pollinators are essential for food production, as they help over 80% of all agricultural crops flower and reproduce.

An estimated value of €153 bn per year
The value of insect pollination to the global ecosystem is estimated at around €153 bn per year (€ 14.2 bn for Europe).

Numbers of pollinating insects have declined signicantly in recent years
The decline has been linked to habitat loss, diseases and viruses, changes in agruculture practices and urban sprawl among other factors. While farm landscapes often lack the diversity and abundance of flowers, that pollinators require, recent research has shown this trend can be reversed. Requirements for supporting a pollinator community include diversity in foraging habitats, with diverse, rich nectar and pollen nutrition, as well as adequate nesting areas. This is where Operation Pollinator comes in.

Now, with environmental management key to the EU support system and high on the agenda for politicians, retailers and consumers, there is the opportunity to create hugely beneficial
wildlife havens, with positive economic
returns for farmers.