The EU is taking action to counteract the loss of bees within the bloc | Sylvain Thomas/AFP via Getty Images Brussels’ Plan Bee: Hives for public buildings The scheme would be launched by the end of 2020.

The European Commission wants beehives to be installed at public buildings across the EU to try to counter the mass death of pollinators.

A draft policy wish list, drawn up by civil servants from all the EU's departments this summer and obtained by POLITICO, floated an EU campaign which would "provide a clear signal that the EU cares" about the fact "insects are being decimated at an alarming rate."

The document states: "Bees are critically important for the environment and to the economy ... If the European Commission chooses to act clearly in their defense it would send a clear signal regarding the insects' fate EU-wide."

The scheme, which also suggests placing "biodiversity boxes" at schools, would be launched by the end of 2020 with €1 million of EU funding plus other money from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

Officials give the popularity of European Green parties in the recent European election as a reason to swing behind the protection of pollinators.

In his plans for the next Common Agriculture Policy, Agriculture Commissioner Phil Hogan proposed increasing the funding for apiculture from €36 million to €60 million.

However, no progress has been made since 2013 on securing EU countries' agreement on a set of stricter rules for the authorization of bee-harming pesticides, known as the Bee Guidance Document.

It will be up to the next commissioner to decide whether to take on the beehives proposal.

Bulgaria is pushing its candidate, current Digital Commissioner Mariya Gabriel to replace Hogan as farm boss.

She is a supporter of restrictions on bee-killing neonicotinoid pesticides, and established the European forum of beekeepers and farmers.