Friends of the Earth Malta (FoE) together with 90 organisations from across the EU recently launched a European Citizens' Initiative with the aim of collecting at least one million signatures.

"Bees all over the world, including Malta - where more than 100 bee species can be found in the wild - are in trouble. Right now, they need us almost as much as we need them. The decline in bees' diversity and abundance would have a serious impact on how our natural world functions. This includes our food crops. Bees pollinate much of the food that makes our diets healthy and tasty - from the apple in our lunchbox, to the tomatoes on our pizza," the FoE statement read.

"We are facing an emergency with nature disappearing at an unprecedented rate. We are launching this campaign to show that the public supports decision makers to take much bolder steps to transform our agriculture, save nature and support sustainable farmers who protect our countryside."

 This campaign stands shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers and farmworkers, FoE said. "We are demanding a just transition for farmers to support them through the switch to the pesticide-free, sustainable farming we need for our future. It comes at a time when millions of farmers are being squeezed out by unfair prices, the lack of political support and big corporations. Four million small farms disappeared between 2005 and 2016 in the EU. "

 Citizens want a system that no longer damages biodiversity and ecosystems or puts consumer health at risk, but instead ensures the livelihood of bees and farmers alike and is healthier for people, the statement read. "With our initiative, we are committed to making this kind of agriculture a reality throughout Europe."

The petition can be signed her: http://foemalta.org/beesaver