Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

First attempt to identify and prioritise best beekeeping practices with a multi-actor approach in the EU

  • Veronica Manara
  • , Aleksejs Zacepins
  • , Robert Brodschneider
  • , Ivana Tlak Gajger
  • , Gyula Kasza
  • , Aranzazu Meana Manes
  • , Peter Kozmus
  • , Flemming Vejsnaes
  • , Leonidas Charistos
  • , Lotta Fabricius Kristiansen
  • , Aleksandra Splitt
  • , Juraj Toporcak
  • , Ellen Danneels
  • , Kirsten Traynor
  • , Noa Simon Delso
  • , Filippo Jannoni Sebastianini
  • , Giovanni Formato
  • , et al.

Publication: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Abstract

The key to achieving sustainable beekeeping in Europe is the application of Best Beekeeping Practices, adapted to different climatic and environmental conditions, bee genetics, beekeeping equipment, and diseases. A bottom-up survey was developed by the Horizon EU project named "B-THENET," a Thematic Network based on a Multi-Actor Approach to identify for the first time what practices are perceived as most relevant by EU beekeepers, and to investigate beekeepers' preferred means of communication. A total of 2094 answers from beekeepers in 22 Member States were collected. Beekeepers deemed the most relevant practices to "Properly place hives in the apiary" and to "Guarantee best efficacy of anti-Varroa treatments, especially with organic compounds." The preferred communication means were visual materials. Building on these results, a list of 23 Best Beekeeping Practices will be developed in 13 EU languages and will be placed in the repository platform of the project B-THENET, to support the training of beekeepers.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)69-79
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Apicultural Research
Volume65
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2026

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Keywords

  • Apis mellifera
  • B-THENET
  • Best beekeeping practices
  • European beekeeping
  • honey bee management

Cite this