Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg recently participated in the public event “Bienen und Pestizide: Welche Schwachstellen hat die aktuelle Risikobewertung des Pestizidzulassungsverfahrens?” The event brought together scientists, environmental advocates, and members of the general public to discuss weaknesses in the current pesticide risk assessment procedures within the European Union.

With an audience of over 100 attendees, Dimitry Wintermantel delivered a well-received presentation on how pesticide risks to pollinators, particularly bees, are currently evaluated in the EU regulatory pre-approval process. The talk emphasised existing limitations in the assessment framework and presented research findings that call for broader and more inclusive testing protocols.

As part of the session, results from the WildPosh project were presented, specifically focusing on interspecific differences in pesticide sensitivity. The findings demonstrated that different pollinator species can respond very differently to the same chemical exposure, highlighting the need for more nuanced, species-specific approaches in regulatory science.

Audience engagement was high, with several participants commenting on the relevance and importance of the research. The positive feedback suggests strong public support for projects like WildPosh that aim to improve pesticide risk evaluation and protect biodiversity.

The full talk was recorded and is now publicly accessible via the University of Freiburg's website, extending the event's reach beyond those who attended in person.