Appendix S1.docx
<p dir="ltr">The use of plant protection products (PPPs) in farming systems poses a potential risk to honey bee health, yet beekeepers’ awareness and interactions with farmers remain understudied. This study compares the knowledge, perceptions, and risk mitigation practices of amateu...
محفوظ في:
| المؤلف الرئيسي: | |
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| منشور في: |
2025
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| الموضوعات: | |
| الوسوم: |
إضافة وسم
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| الملخص: | <p dir="ltr">The use of plant protection products (PPPs) in farming systems poses a potential risk to honey bee health, yet beekeepers’ awareness and interactions with farmers remain understudied. This study compares the knowledge, perceptions, and risk mitigation practices of amateur and professional beekeepers in Ireland and Greece, based on survey responses from 476 participants. Irish beekeepers were predominantly amateurs, while most Greek beekeepers were professionals. Irish amateurs reported significantly less experience in beekeeping and managed fewer hives compared to other groups. Across both countries, insecticides were perceived as the most harmful PPPs to honey bees, with Greek beekeepers expressing greater concern than Irish counterparts. Greek beekeepers showed greater confidence in identifying pesticide poisoning and were more likely to conduct residue testing. Most beekeepers had limited interaction with farmers and were rarely notified before PPP application, and often too late to take protective measures. Risk mitigation practices were minimal among Irish beekeepers, while Greek professionals were more proactively avoiding agricultural areas. Beekeepers strongly agreed that farmers should be better informed on the risks of PPPs and expressed a desire for improved communication, preferably via mobile phone. Most respondents indicated interest in receiving further education, ideally through beekeeping associations. The findings highlight the need for targeted educational programs, structured beekeeper-farmer communication and collaboration, and accessible tools to mitigate PPP-related risks to honey bees. These insights can support the development of more effective pollinator protection and agro-ecological cooperation strategies.</p> |
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