Informational Webinar: Enhancing Honeybee Health through Adoption of Sustainable Bee Colony Management Strategies - Sponsored by Our Website, Overseen by the Scientific Committee on Bee Health
In a webinar hosted by the Scientific Committee on Bee Health on April 30, experts gathered to discuss the critical issue of bee health and sustainable beekeeping. The event, which aimed to inform EU beekeepers, researchers, and policymakers, focused on best practices, regulatory compliance, and integrated pest management (IPM).
Dr. Urška Ratajc, Head of the Scientific Committees, gave the introductory speech. The lecturers included Prof. Dr. Aslı Ozkirim, Prof. Dr. Ivana Tlak Gajger, and Dr. Giovanni Formato, who presented on various aspects of bee health and sustainable beekeeping.
Prof. Dr. Ozkirim lectured on Integrated Varroa destructor Control, a crucial topic given the threat posed by these mites to bee populations. Prof. Dr. Tlak Gajger discussed proper medicine usage for treating bees, emphasising the importance of responsible medicine use and avoiding resistance buildup.
Dr. Formato presented on the B-THENET platform, a tool for exchanging best beekeeping practices across Europe. This platform aligns with the committee's goal of integrating scientific research, practical tools, and policy to support bee health and pollinator-dependent agriculture.
The webinar also covered winter colony losses and strategies to enhance colony resilience and reduce disease incidence. Emphasis was placed on disease surveillance and early warning, habitat conservation and pollinator support, education and community engagement, biosecurity and hygiene, and sustainable hive management.
These practices reflect a European commitment to sustainable beekeeping. The focus is on actionable, evidence-based strategies to maintain healthy bee populations crucial for biodiversity and food systems. The European Best Beekeeping Practices aim to support apiculture that not only benefits honey production but also enhances ecosystem resilience by supporting wild pollinators.
The webinar was educational and successful, and our website would like to thank all participants for their contribution. This initiative underscores the importance of ongoing dialogue and collaboration to ensure the health and sustainability of our bee populations.
In the context of discussing Integrated Varroa destructor Control and the European Best Beekeeping Practices, it's essential to incorporate science-based knowledge in health-and-wellness, focusing on beekeeping, and environmental-science to enhance bee health, support wild pollinators, and promote sustainable beekeeping practices. By employing fitness-and-exercise strategies, such as proper medicine usage and sustainable hive management, we can help reduce disease incidence and build resilience in our bee populations—an integral part of food systems' biodiversity.
