Categorisation of the One Welfare Practices in Beekeeping

Area of Science:

• Apiculture and Ecosystem Health
• One Welfare Framework Integration
• Sustainable Beekeeping Practices

Background:

• Honey bees are crucial for ecosystems, agriculture, and biodiversity, yet their welfare is often neglected.
• Existing Honey Bee Welfare Practices (HBWPs) require evaluation within a broader welfare context.
• The interconnectedness of honey bee health, human well-being, and environmental conditions necessitates a unified approach.

Purpose of the Study:

• To integrate HBWPs into the One Welfare framework, evaluating their impact on honey bees, human well-being, and environmental health.
• To re-evaluate 243 identified HBWPs using the Five Domains model and assess their broader implications.
• To develop a comprehensive list of One Welfare Practices in Beekeeping, prioritizing all stakeholders.

Main Methods:

• Analysis and re-evaluation of 243 previously identified HBWPs.
• Application of the One Welfare framework to assess impacts on individual bees, superorganisms, human well-being, and environmental health.
• Consideration of economic and time constraints for beekeepers.

Main Results:

• Identification of 280 practices positively influencing honey bee welfare, human well-being, and environmental health.
• Demonstration of the multidimensional nature of beekeeping and its stakeholders.
• Discussion of challenges in balancing beekeeper time and welfare objectives, with proposed compromises.

Conclusions:

• The One Welfare approach offers a holistic and sustainable model for apiculture.
• Ensuring welfare across all stakeholders (bees, humans, environment) is achievable through integrated practices.
• The framework provides a flexible model applicable to diverse global beekeeping systems.