Appendix S1.docx

The use of plant protection products (PPPs) in farming systems poses a potential risk to honey bee health, yet beekeepers’ awareness and interactions with farmers remain understudied. This study compares the knowledge, perceptions, and risk mitigation practices of amateur and professional beekeepers in Ireland and Greece, based on survey responses from 476 participants. Irish beekeepers were predominantly amateurs, while most Greek beekeepers were professionals. Irish amateurs reported significantly less experience in beekeeping and managed fewer hives compared to other groups. Across both countries, insecticides were perceived as the most harmful PPPs to honey bees, with Greek beekeepers expressing greater concern than Irish counterparts. Greek beekeepers showed greater confidence in identifying pesticide poisoning and were more likely to conduct residue testing. Most beekeepers had limited interaction with farmers and were rarely notified before PPP application, and often too late to take protective measures. Risk mitigation practices were minimal among Irish beekeepers, while Greek professionals were more proactively avoiding agricultural areas. Beekeepers strongly agreed that farmers should be better informed on the risks of PPPs and expressed a desire for improved communication, preferably via mobile phone. Most respondents indicated interest in receiving further education, ideally through beekeeping associations. The findings highlight the need for targeted educational programs, structured beekeeper-farmer communication and collaboration, and accessible tools to mitigate PPP-related risks to honey bees. These insights can support the development of more effective pollinator protection and agro-ecological cooperation strategies.

农业系统中植物保护产品（PPPs）的使用对蜜蜂健康构成潜在风险，但养蜂人对农民的认知及互动情况仍未得到充分研究。本研究基于476名参与者的调查反馈，比较了爱尔兰与希腊业余及专业养蜂人的知识水平、认知观念和风险缓解实践。爱尔兰养蜂人以业余为主，而希腊养蜂人大多为专业人士。与其他群体相比，爱尔兰业余养蜂人的养蜂经验显著较少，管理的蜂箱数量也更少。两国养蜂人均认为杀虫剂是对蜜蜂最有害的PPPs，其中希腊养蜂人的担忧程度高于爱尔兰同行。希腊养蜂人在识别农药中毒方面表现出更高的信心，且更倾向于开展残留检测。大多数养蜂人与农民的互动有限，在PPPs施用前很少收到通知，往往来不及采取保护措施。爱尔兰养蜂人的风险缓解实践最少，而希腊专业养蜂人则更主动地避开农业区域。养蜂人强烈认为农民应更好地了解PPPs的风险，并希望改善沟通——最好通过手机渠道。大多数受访者表示有兴趣通过养蜂协会接受进一步教育。研究结果强调，需制定针对性教育项目、构建结构化的养蜂人与农民沟通合作机制，并提供可获取的工具，以缓解PPPs对蜜蜂的相关风险。这些见解可为制定更有效的传粉者保护及农业生态合作策略提供支持。