Warning: Toxic Neonicotinoid Use in Salmon Farming "Clears Another Hurdle"! @WeAreBenchmark appoint environmental modeller in Scotland for BMK08 (Imidacloprid) commercialisation via CleanTreat https://t.co/AcASvsOpsL @ScottishEPA @FerdOwner @ScotlandMowi @EMA_News @Bayer pic.twitter.com/dennERlTby
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 16, 2021
The neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (hidden by Norwegian-owned Benchmark behind the code-name BMK08 - formerly Ectosan) is expected to win market authorisation in Norway "soon" with Scotland and Chile next on the hit list for the toxic chemical which was banned for use in terrestrial agriculture in 2018 and is even more toxic in aquatic environments. Yet the general public - and investors - are being kept in the dark as to the environmental risks.
Will the public be able to view environmental risk assessment data on Imidacloprid (BMK08) on the Dark Web before it is approved for use in salmon farming in Scotland? @ScottishEPA @FOIScotland pic.twitter.com/ii4K4i0al5
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 18, 2021
Scottish Salmon Watch and The Ferret revealed in March 2020 that BMK08 (known as Ectosan until late 2019) was Imidacloprid following a tip-off that Mowi had sought approval via the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. Benchmark's largest owner is Norwegian tobacco billionaire Johan Andresen who rather paradoxically is Chair of Norway's Council on Ethics who polices 'ethical' investment including in 'Scottish' salmon farming.
Meet the filthy rich Norwegian tobacco billionaire @FerdOwner desperate to 'CleanTreat' parasite-infested pharmed salmon with the toxic neonicotinoid insecticide Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan) @WeAreBenchmark https://t.co/ORQS4EAeDS #Salmoney #Salmonopoly https://t.co/u5aJ4cQ1eS pic.twitter.com/2zh6cxBdeg
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) March 18, 2020
"It's the tasty one," said a cigarette ad for Tiedemanns Tobaksfabrik (biggest tobacco company in Norway) @FerdOwner https://t.co/Pv7Npg9mWB "Setting a new standard in environmental care for sea lice bath treatments," claims CleanTreat @WeAreBenchmark #BlowingSmoke #Imidacloprid pic.twitter.com/SE0xCB38FC
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) March 19, 2020
Fish Farmer magazine reported (16 April 2021):
Find out more about Meghan's work via LinkedIn:
Fish Farming Expert reported (16 April 2021):
"Benchmark said that the MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) for its novel sea lice treatment BMK08 [Imidacloprid] has been ratified under European Law" @proactive_UK @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner https://t.co/QTrQYmXTvy
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 19, 2021
Where are the EU documents? @euparl_net @europeangreens @EMA_News
Fish Farming Expert reported in September 2020:
Fish Farming Expert also reported (16 April 2021):
Fish Farming Expert reported (26 March 2021):
Warning: Imidacloprid Moves A Step Closer to Commercial Use in Salmon Farming @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner @MowiScotlandLtd @scotseafarms @salmon_scottish @ScottishEPA @SSPOsays @FergusEwingSNP @strathearnrose @LeroySeafood @scotgp @PAN_UK @europeangreens https://t.co/u1n8Vl4UW0 pic.twitter.com/bIR6Nax1y3
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) March 26, 2021
Benchmark is loathe to admit it but BMK08 is the toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid - banned for use in terrestrial agriculture in 2018 (although last year Greenpeace identified a dangerous loophole) and shown by peer-reviewed science to be hazardous to aquatic environments.
Preliminary research shows that a popular insecticide hampers arthropods in the ocean.
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 22, 2020
https://t.co/lzDwp3WJva via @hakaimagazine
Fish Farming Expert reported in March 2020:
British Wildlife reported in August 2020:
The Sunday Times reported in June 2020:
Scottish Salmon Watch reported in May 2020 that Mowi had lobbied the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for a field trial of Imidacloprid in Loch Ailort (a site visited by Prince Philip in 1974 leading to a Royal Warrant for Mowi - then called Marine Harvest):
Secret Trials: 'Royal' Salmon Doused with Bee-Killing Insecticide Imidacloprid? https://t.co/S1ovGqCpu7 FOI reveals proposed 'field trial' of toxic neonicotinoid @MowiScotlandLtd at Ardnish in Loch Ailort @ScottishEPA @WeAreBenchmark @marinescotland @FerdOwner @vmdgovuk #BMK08 pic.twitter.com/iUl9lk7XPv
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 20, 2020
Does @RoyalFamily support the use of the bee-killing toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid by royal warrant holder @MowiScotlandLtd? Prince Philip visited Loch Ailort in 1974 leading to pharmed salmon supplied to Buckingham Palace #WorldBeeDay #WorldBeeDay2020 https://t.co/S1ovGqCpu7 pic.twitter.com/rPIRJQDpms
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 20, 2020
After Scottish Salmon Watch filmed at Mowi's Loch Ailort salmon farm at Ardnish in July 2020 we received a legal threat from Mowi's lawyers.
Scottish Salmon Watch reported in March 2020:
Mark Ruskell MSP: "There is a startling lack of transparency, with @FergusEwingMSP always ready to approve the next sticking plaster approach to the chronic animal health and welfare issues caused by the industry" https://t.co/6u7ZifHNFo @markruskell @scotgp @ScottishEPA
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) March 17, 2020
Bald statement that all of this poison will be removed from the discharge water. Given the huge amount of human error in this industry how can we trust that, even if it’s scientifically possible.
— Eòghann MacUalraig (@ewangkennedy) March 17, 2020
SEPA refuse to disclose information on the use of the toxic neonicotinoid insecticide Imidacloprid in salmon farming citing commercial confidentiality https://t.co/6dqW4x0iel @ScottishEPA @FOIScotland If disclosed it would prejudice economic interests @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner pic.twitter.com/m88qS2Tv2A
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 30, 2020
The Antithesis of the Precautionary Principle: "SEPA have not conducted any modelling of environmental impacts or ecological risk assessments of Imidacloprid use in salmon farming" https://t.co/6dqW4x0iel @ScottishEPA @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner @vmdgovuk @marinescotland #Toxic pic.twitter.com/HCq5kViBxg
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 30, 2020
Fish Farmer magazine reported in February 2020 that more than 35,000 tonnes of Norwegian farmed salmon at five farms had been treated with Imidacloprid (BMK08) "over the past 24 months":
Scottish Salmon Watch has repeatedly asked the authorities in Scotland whether Imidacloprid has already been used in 'Scottish' salmon farming - either illegally or with a secret licence in the field or in the laboratory - but we have hit brick wall after brick wall.
How much of the toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan) has been used in Scottish salmon farming (either legally or illegally) since @WeAreBenchmark registered a patent in 2011? @SSPOsays @MowiScotlandLtd @marinescotland @vmdgovuk @scotseafarms https://t.co/CdAEYD4QzO pic.twitter.com/GY8uP0Us1v
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 26, 2020
Scottish Salmon Watch has asked the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scottish Natural Heritage (Nature Scotland), the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the Scottish Government and even Benchmark for copies of any environmental risk assessments regarding the use of Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan) use in salmon farming but have been denied at every turn.
Secret Salmon - On the Trail of Imidacloprid Use in Scotland https://t.co/u2ulxotaTN Has the toxic neonicotinoid been used illegally @WeAreBenchmark @FAIfarms at Ardtoe marine laboratory? @ScottishEPA @marinescotland @vmdgovuk @FerdOwner @MowiScotlandLtd @FergusEwingMSP #BMK08 pic.twitter.com/LwP1twMoQW
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) September 4, 2020
It now seems that the UK Government and the Scottish Government is prepared to open the floodgates to a toxic chemical banned for use in terrestrial agriculture back in 2018.
Scottish Farmer reported in January 2021:
Greenpeace reported in July 2020 (also reported by the Daily Telegraph):
The question seems to be not if but when the 'green' Scottish Government raise a glass to Imidacloprid-marinaded Scottish salmon and drink to the success of Benchmark's "environmentally friendly" water purification system CleanTreat.
Scottish Salmon to be Smoked with Neonicotinoid - 'environmental' modeller charged with "water purification" of toxic Imidacloprid! @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner @ScottishEPA
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 17, 2021
Will @GreenerScotland raise a glass to BMK08's "commercial roll-out" in Scotland? https://t.co/AcASvswO4b
Today (17 April 2021), Scottish Salmon Watch filed another FOI request with SEPA for information on Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan).
When will Scottish salmon's toxic secrets be revealed? Will the public discover the ecological risks of Imidacloprid (BMK08) AFTER it has been approved?!
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) April 17, 2021
It's been over a year since an FOI appeal was filed! @FOIScotland @ScottishEPA @WeAreBenchmark https://t.co/AcASvswO4b pic.twitter.com/0ZaL7Nq54c
Date: Sat, Apr 17, 2021 at 7:45 AM
Subject: FOI re. Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan), CleanTreat & Benchmark since 8 June 2020
To: AccesstoInformation <[email protected]>
Cc: Pollard, Peter <[email protected]>, Ahearn, Terry <[email protected]>, Media <[email protected]>, Mackinnon, Alison <[email protected]>, Sinclair, Douglas <[email protected]>
Scottish Salmon Watch also filed another FOI request with the Scottish Government (following up a FOI request dated 26 October 2020):
Date: Sat, Apr 17, 2021 at 3:48 PM
Subject: FOI re. Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan), CleanTreat & Benchmark since 26 October 2020
To: <[email protected]>
And a FOI was filed with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate:
Date: Sat, Apr 17, 2021 at 4:01 PM
Subject: FOI re. Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan), CleanTreat & Benchmark since 26 October 2020
To: Andrew Saunders <[email protected]>
Read more via:
- Warning: Imidacloprid Moves A Step Closer to Commercial Use in Salmon Farming
- Nasty Neonicotinoid Plagues Salmon Farming in 2021
- Toxic Neonicotinoid "Close to Commercial Launch" in Salmon Farming!
- New Science Dogs Approval of Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid for Scottish Salmon!
- Imidacloprid Use in Scottish Salmon Farming?
- Secret Salmon - On the Trail of Imidacloprid Use in Scotland!
- British Wildlife: "Neonics in Salmon Farming - Alarm Bells Are Ringing"
- Caveat Chile - toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (BMK08) coming soon!
- Imidacloprid Licensed for Use by Mowi in Loch Ailort?
- Further Scientific Opposition to Imidacloprid Use in Salmon Farming
- Patent lifts lid on neonicotinoid use in salmon farming
- Horrible History: Imidacloprid Use in Salmon Farming
- Scientific Opposition to Neonicotinoid Use in Salmon Farming
- Backgrounder: "Imidacloprid - A Neonicotinoid Insecticide Toxic to Aquatic Life"
- BBC Farming Today on "Neonicotinoids in Salmon Farming"
- Sunday Times: "Outlawed insecticide may be used on Scottish salmon"
- FOI letter on Scientific Concerns re. Imidacloprid Use in Scottish Salmon Farming
- Scottish Greens "Deeply Concerned" at Mowi's Field Trial of Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in Loch Ailort
- Letter to the Prince of Wales re. bee-killing Imidacloprid use at royal warrant holder Mowi
- Secret Trials: 'Royal' Salmon Doused with Bee-Killing Insecticide Imidacloprid?
- Follow the Salmoney - the Norwegian tobacco billionaire behind the Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid
- ENDS Report: "Calls for greater transparency over ‘toxic’ new fish farm product"
- Letter to SEPA: Please Come Clean on Imidacloprid!
- Letter to Scottish Ministers, SEPA & the VMD re. Imidacloprid
- FOI requests on Imidacloprid to SEPA, VMD & the Scottish Government
- Revealed: Toxic Neonicotinoid Insecticide Used to 'CleanTreat' Lousy Salmon
- Please Come Clean on BMK08!
- Sunday Times: "Official fears revealed over toxic threat of salmon trade"
- Cleaning Tox-Sick Scottish Salmon
- CleanTreat FOI Disclosures by the Scottish Government to Scottish Salmon Watch
- Media Backgrounder: Chemically Embalmed Scottish Salmon
- All is Not Well With Sick Scottish Salmon
Scottish Salmon Watch lifts the lid on Imidacloprid use in salmon farming https://t.co/R4l8knDTZu
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) February 24, 2021
How can @GreenerScotland & @ScottishEPA authorize the use of a toxic neonicotinoid banned in terrestrial agriculture in 2018 for use in salmon farming? @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner pic.twitter.com/m3GZ3WP1nJ
To prove the safety of the neonicotinoid insecticide Imidacloprid will Scottish Ministers drink 'purified' wastewater? @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner https://t.co/nqV1mv7CAY @FergusEwingMSP @strathearnrose @KateForbesMSP @GreenerScotland @nicolasturgeon @scotgovfm @scotgp #BMK08 pic.twitter.com/PFIMg3HTkh
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 8, 2020