Some 80% of plants (including many agricultural crops) rely on insect pollinators. This was recognised in a European Union (EU) initiative to protect bees, beetles, butterflies, hoverflies, moths and wasps. Legislation included bans (still being contested by producers and some interest groups) on the use of neonicotinoid insecticides as they have have been repeatedly shown to decimate bee populations. This 'protection' has actually been shown to be pretty minimal as, between 2013 and 2019, 206 'emergency authorisations' were granted to use neonicotinoids in EU countries (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/jul/10/brussels-failing-to-protect-bees-says-watchdog). It has been noted previously that there have been dramatic declines in the numbers of insect pollinators in all areas of Europe over this time.
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