Conclusions
Belgium counts a majority of hobby beekeepers. Understanding their
perception of risks affecting colony health and mortality is crucial to
analyse the reasons for adopting or rejecting some beekeeping management
practices. Beekeepers with a greater level of perceived risk combined
with strong perceptions of the benefits of action lead to increased
motivation to act in better ways have lower mortality rates. Despite a
good general estimate of risks to bee colonies, the agricultural
pesticides, and veterinary drug treatment issue appears to be a source
of confusion and misunderstanding. Clear and harmonised information
should be integrated into risk management recommendations. The lack of
feeling of the financial impact that the loss of a colony entails seems
to be an obstacle to the implementation of measures to limit the risk.
The results of this survey highlight the importance of taking
socio-economic determinants into account in any strategy aimed at
mitigating the risks associated with bee mortality. To successfully
translate recommendations in such a way that the adoption of good
management practices will be facilitated, more socio-psychological
research is essential.