<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p>Legislation plays a key role in regulating beekeeping practices and biosecurity measures, but different countries present conflicting legislative frameworks in terms of allowing antibiotic use. Currently the EU and the UK only permit antibiotics under the cascade principle, but while the UK considers the application in cases of European Foulbrood, the EU strongly discourages antibiotic use. In the US, antibiotics are registered for honeybees and their treatments are regularly authorised. This study relied on an international survey to assess the current use of antibiotics and general awareness among beekeepers, within the three legislative contexts. The results showed a similar use of antibiotics in all three geographical areas, regardless of the legislative context. General use and awareness indicated that the EU and US would likely benefit from national inspectors. Furthermore, even though beekeepers were somewhat aware of the various risks associated with improper antibiotic use, they would likely benefit from targeted training on the matter.</p></abstract>

Legislation plays a key role in regulating beekeeping practices and biosecurity measures, but different countries present conflicting legislative frameworks in terms of allowing antibiotic use. Currently the EU and the UK only permit antibiotics under the cascade principle, but while the UK considers the application in cases of European Foulbrood, the EU strongly discourages antibiotic use. In the US, antibiotics are registered for honeybees and their treatments are regularly authorised. This study relied on an international survey to assess the current use of antibiotics and general awareness among beekeepers, within the three legislative contexts. The results showed a similar use of antibiotics in all three geographical areas, regardless of the legislative context. General use and awareness indicated that the EU and US would likely benefit from national inspectors. Furthermore, even though beekeepers were somewhat aware of the various risks associated with improper antibiotic use, they would likely benefit from targeted training on the matter.

Impact of Legislation on Antibiotic Use and Awareness of Beekeepers

Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale del Lazio e della Toscana

Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations

Journal of Apicultural Science

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

{"article-title":"Impact of Legislation on Antibiotic Use and Awareness of Beekeepers"}

Legislation plays a key role in regulating beekeeping practices and biosecurity measures, but different countries present conflicting legislative frameworks in...

Impact of Legislation on Antibiotic Use and Awareness of Beekeepers

Article Category: Original Article

Published Online: Dec 28, 2021

Page range: 265 - 277

Received: Mar 05, 2021

Accepted: Nov 08, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2021-0022

Keywords
antibiotic awareness, antibiotic use, AMR, bee management, legislation

© 2021 Sofia Croppi et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Impact of Legislation on Antibiotic Use and Awareness of Beekeepers

Article Category: Original Article

Published Online: Dec 28, 2021

Page range: 265 - 277

Received: Mar 05, 2021

Accepted: Nov 08, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/jas-2021-0022

Keywordsantibiotic awareness, antibiotic use, AMR, bee management, legislation

© 2021 Sofia Croppi et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Keywords
antibiotic awareness, antibiotic use, AMR, bee management, legislation