Agricultural intensification is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss in Europe, and also directly impacts human health. Furthermore, biodiversity in and around agricultural systems is of key importance for food security and health. It is the source of the components of production (crops, livestock, farmed fish) and the genetic diversity within these that ensures continuing improvements in food production, allows adaptation to current needs and ensures adaptability to future ones. A diversity of species and varieties, as well as wild sources, underpins dietary diversity and good nutrition. Biodiversity is also essential for agricultural production systems, underpinning ecosystem services such as pollination, pest control, nutrient cycling, erosion control and water supply. While agriculture and food systems clearly rely on biodiversity, biodiversity also relies on agriculture: it is estimated that 50% of all species in the EU rely upon agricultural habitats. Diversity loss in agro-ecosystems has increased the vulnerability and reduced the sustainability of production systems, as well as had negative impacts on human health. It has also weakened regulating and supporting ecosystem services, thus making these systems more dependent on additional chemical inputs and creating negative feedback loops. The use of chemical inputs, particularly pesticides, has had severe consequences for wildlife, human health and agricultural biodiversity.

The EU Farm to Fork Strategy (F2F) proposes a transition to a more sustainable food system. It aims to comprehensively address the challenges involved while recognising the inextricable links between healthy people, healthy societies and a healthy planet. It recognises the urgent need to reduce dependence on pesticides and antimicrobials, reduce excess fertilisation, increase organic farming, improve animal welfare, and reverse biodiversity loss. Both the Biodiversity Strategy (BDS 2030) and F2F go beyond the Pesticides Directive in including specific targets for halving the use and risk of chemical pesticides in agriculture and the use of more hazardous pesticides by 2030, as well as enhanced provisions on integrated pest management and safe alternative ways to protect harvests from pests and diseases. F2F and BDS 2030 also have specific targets for halving nutrient loss, reducing fertiliser use and expanding organic farming to 25% of EU agricultural area, as well as an integrated nutrient management plan to address nutrient pollution at source.