How do agri-environmental measures affect the number of bumblebees? In Estonian, bumblebees (genus Bombus) are called rural bees or forest bees. These insects are an essential link for the normal functioning of the living environment and the economy, including agriculture. We look at the benefits of environmental measures, which should, among other things, help save pollinators. Bumblebees belong...

The diversity of our food depends largely on the existence of pollinators Pollinators are insects or other animals that, by carrying pollen from the anthers to the stigma, pollinate the plant, and thus allow the plants to bear fruit. Pollinators include bees, bumblebees, butterflies, flies, and beetles, as well as birds, rodents, and bats. It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 different...

European agricultural measures must be consistent with environmental and climate policies Agricultural grants are paid under the European Union’s (EU) Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP has two so-called pillars: direct payments and market organisation measures, and the rural development policy. While direct payments come from the EU, in 2022 the rural development support is paid on the...

What is organic production? How does it support biodiversity? Organic production is an agricultural method that takes into account the principles of the natural matter cycle for the production of food and other agricultural products [1]. In crop production, the aim of organic production is to maintain soil fertility by using only organic fertilisers, natural plant protection products, and non...

Due to intensive farming methods, the world has lost a third of its soil over the last forty years due to erosion Today’s high-productivity agriculture is intensive and less environmentally friendly than traditional and extensive agriculture. In intensive agriculture, more fertilisers, pesticides, and insecticides are used – arable land plots are usually large and require a lot of fossil fuels to...

In semi-natural areas, extensive farming has shown a positive impact on biodiversity With almost 4,000 years of history, Estonian crop husbandry and agriculture is largely an expression of our traditional and environmentally friendly way of life. Centuries of management have shaped varied landscapes and left room for valuable habitats. As it is mostly a heritage-cultural landscape, we should...

Aquaculture is one of the fastest growing food sectors in the world, producing an estimated half of the protein from fish consumption About 15.7% of the animal protein consumed worldwide comes from fish. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) estimates that aquaculture accounts for half of this percentage and is projected to reach 65% by the end of 2030. [1] In the...

Restrictions are necessary to ensure the safe migration of fish to spawning grounds, spawning peace, the protection of undersized fish, and the conservation of endangered species Catch restrictions are set to ensure that fish stocks are in good condition and that the conditions for spawning, or producing the next generation, are as good as possible. Restrictions are therefore imposed to not...

Preventing excessive catching pressure is the key task of fisheries regulation The strategic goal of fishery is to ensure the good status of fish populations and the diversity of fish species. It is important to avoid the negative effects of fishing on the ecosystem, for example by not catching undersized specimens. It is important to ensure that fish habitats are not damaged or that spawning...

Fishing is an ancient practice: the diverse fish fauna of the world’s waters has been a valuable source of food for humans for thousands of years There are over 30,000 species of fish in the world. There are 91 fish species registered in Estonian waters, most of which are freshwater fish, semi-migratory fish (e.g. vimba, ide), or migratory fish (salmon, brown trout, eel). There are about 30...