<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...

	EU	UK	US
Antibiotic use	Low persistent use of ABs.Highest reported use of ABs (5%).ABs purchased from other beekeepers.	Low but persistent use of ABs.	Low persistent use of ABs. ABs mainly used for Nosema (no AB registered for this). ABs purchased online. Most likely to not follow label instructions.
Antibiotic awareness	Little knowledge on AB function.	Little knowledge on AB function.	Little knowledge on AB function (e.g. indicated a preventative function).Most likely to see ABs fail to treat. Acquire AB information online.

	EU	UK	US
Antibiotic use	Minor antibiotic use and illegal treatments (official controls). Verify traceability of Abs. Verify preparedness and training of officers and veterinarians.	Continue to monitor antibiotic use and respect of protocol (official controls). Continue to verify preparedness and training of bee inspectors and veterinarians.	Monitor antibiotic use and illegal treatments (official controls). Verify traceability of Abs. Verify preparedness and training of officers and veterinarians.
Antibiotic awareness	Training of beekeepers concerning antimicrobials.	Training of beekeepers concerning antimicrobials.	Training of beekeepers concerning antimicrobials, especially ABs use following label instructions.

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.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Identified shortcomings of antibiotic use and awareness

Suggested corrective actions

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.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3

Fig. 4

Fig. 5

Identified shortcomings of antibiotic use and awareness

Suggested corrective actions

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