University of Gothenburg
bee
Photo: Pixabay
  2. News and events
  3. Find events
  4. Pesticides and Pollinators

Pesticides and Pollinators

Research
Sustainability and environment
Science and Information Technology

Pollinators are essential for both biodiversity and food security, yet many species are in decline due to multiple pressures like habitat loss, pesticide exposure and climate change. This seminar brings together researchers and policy experts to explore how pesticides affect pollinators, what new research tells us about risks and resilience and what strategies and improvements we can implement to protect pollinators and by extension, the ecosystems.

Seminar
Date
12 Nov 2025
Time
10:30 - 12:00
Location
Hybrid seminar: Vinden 8301 (Natrium) and zoom-link (sign up below)
Registration deadline
12 November 2025
Participants
Julia Osterman, PhD, Dept. of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Gothenburg
Maj Rundlöf, Docent, Biodiversity and Evolution, Lund University
Andreas Gumbert, Policy officer at the Directorate-General for Environment of the European Commission
Registration is closed.

Pollinators play a crucial role in sustaining both ecosystems and agriculture — nearly 75% of globally important crops rely on animal pollination. Yet, pollinators are increasingly under threat from human activities, including habitat loss, pesticide exposure and climate change.

Synthetic substances are commonly used in agriculture to control pests such as fungi, insects, and weeds. However, their use also brings risks to human health and the environment, including pollinators. This seminar will explore how pesticides pose threats to pollinators, focusing on bees as a key example. We will discuss how exposure and sensitivity vary across species, and why these differences matter for assessing pesticide risks.

We will highlight current gaps in risk assessment frameworks and discuss potential improvements and mitigation strategies to better protect pollinators — and the ecosystems that depend on them.
We will also get insight in EU policy developments related to pesticides and pollinators, such as the implementation of the EU Pollinator Initiative and links to the Nature Restoration Regulation.

Last modified