In Slovenia, bees are queens and protected from neonicotinoids

Slovenia, a concentration of nature in the heart of Central Europe, has the largest number of nature reserves per capita in Europe. In this country, 38% of the surface area is protected. To preserve bees, its national symbol, Slovenia was the first on the continent to ban neonicotinoids, pesticides that act on the nervous system of insects. In 2009, a beekeeper experienced a “trauma” when he found that his bees were dead. The surrounding cornfields had been sprayed with insecticide from an airplane.

During these years, millions of bees died, causing a shock. Slovenia then decided to end these agricultural practices. Neonicotinoids were banned in 2011 and in the following years, the use of other pesticides was reduced by half. In 2024, on average, agricultural production remained stable. However, farmers had to change their practices and adapt.