1. Pollination by insects is a key input into many crops, with managed honeybees often
being hired to support pollination services. Despite substantial research into pollination
management, no European studies have yet explored how and why farmers
managed pollination services and few have explored why beekeepers use certain
crops.
2. Using paired surveys of beekeepers and farmers in 10 European countries, this
study examines beekeeper and farmer perceptions and motivations surrounding
crop pollination.
3. Almost half of the farmers surveyed believed they had pollination service deficits
in one or more of their crops.
4. Less than a third of farmers hired managed pollinators; however, most undertook
at least one form of agri‐environment management known to benefit pollinators,
although few did so to promote pollinators.
5. Beekeepers were ambivalent towards many mass‐flowering crops, with some beekeepers
using crops for their honey that other beekeepers avoid because of perceived
pesticide risks.
6. The findings highlight a number of largely overlooked knowledge gaps that will
affect knowledge exchange and co‐operation between the two groups.
Nederlandse Organisatie voor
Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek, Grant/Award
Number: 841.11.001; Ministarstvo Prosvete,
Nauke i Tehnološkog Razvoja, Grant/Award
Number: 43001; Natural Environment
Research Council, Grant/Award Number:
NE/K015419/1 and NE/N014472/1;
Javna Agencija za Raziskovalno Dejavnost
RS, Grant/Award Number: V4‐1622 and
P1‐0255; Rural and Environment Science
and Analytical Services Division; Bayer
Crop Science; European Cooperation in
Science and Technology, Grant/Award
Number: oc‐2013‐1‐15320; BBSRC, Grant/
Award Number: BB/R00580X/1; The
Scottish Government Rural Affairs and the
Environment Strategic Research Programme
