Perception of threats to bee colonies and the future of local beekeeping by beekeepers in various European countries

Abstract

In Europe, the honey bee (Apis mellifera) has been confronted by multiple threats often linked to human activities. An online survey was spread between September 2021 and March 2022 among 2,111 beekeepers. The results showed that beekeepers are powerless to deal with threats. They believe that man-made problems can be mitigated or eliminated through authorities. Bee colonies suffer under parasites, predators or declining natural resources. In Southern Europe, it becomes increasingly difficult to keep bees. The situation is in contrast to that described for Northern Europe, especially Iceland, where threats are almost non-existent. This North/South duality is also evident when describe future perspectives in their region. The uncertainty of production can lead to a negative outlook for certain people, especially because selling honey is a motivation, but others have a positive outlook for the future.