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06/17/2021

Anyone for Norwegian Salmon Marinaded in the Banned Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (don't worry it's ASC-approved)?!

 



 

Field trials of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid - dubbed by Professor Dave Goulson as 'Novichok for insects' - have taken place in Norway since at least 2017 and are ongoing through until 2022 according to clinical trials permits published by the Norwegian Government's Directorate of Fisheries.  iLaks reported in August 2020 (sourced from an article published in the regional newspaper Helgelands Blad):

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #11

 

 

Here's a Google Translation of the Norwegian article:

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #12

 

The iLaks article links readers to a Directorate of Fisheries web-page listing permits for clinical trials - including two involving Salmo Pharma and D-10 Aquatic Blast.

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #1

 

 

 

 

 

A Norwegian news article published in June 2018 - cited in Scottish Salmon Watch's FOI request of 17 March 2020 to the Norwegian Government - appears to identify companies involved in the first field trials of Imidacloprid in Norway:

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #24

 

More news on Salmo Pharma can be found online via Kyst (Norwegian Fish Farmer magazine) - including a 2017 article which refers to Imidacloprid and a 2016 article referring to neonicotinoids (including Imidacloprid) and citing D-10 Aquatic Blast:

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #13

 

 

A video urging investors to support the use of D-10 Aquatic Blast (the active ingredient was not named but it is understood to be Imidacloprid) in salmon farming in New Brunswick, Canada, was published on You Tube in 2014:

 

 

 

Here's a US patent for the use of the neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in salmon farming filed in 2015:

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #14

 

 

 

Another patent filed in Canada (CA3045239A1) in December 2017 (published in June 2018 & described as a 'National Entry' in May 2019) lifts the lid on how Norwegian-owned Benchmark plans to use the toxic neonicotinoid insecticide Imidacloprid in salmon farming. 

 

Imidacloprid Canadian Patent CA3045239A1 #1

Imidacloprid Canadian Patent CA3045239A1 #2

Imidacloprid Canadian Patent CA3045239A1 #3

Imidacloprid Canadian Patent CA3045239A1 #4

 

 

 

 

 

Norwegian-owned Benchmark first unveiled Ectosan in December 2017 (omitting to tell investors or the public that it was Bayer's controversial neonicotinoid Imidacloprid).

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #25

 

 

In November 2019, Benchmark quietly re-branded Ectosan as BMK08 (still remaining tight lipped as to its secret identity as a banned neonicotinoid). 

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #26

 

 

 

Fish Farmer reported in February 2020 that field trials of BMK08 (Imidacloprid) had taken place in Norway "over the last 24 months" involving five salmon farms and 35,000 tonnes of farmed salmon.

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #15

 

 

The article does not say which five salmon farms in Norway have been using 'Novichok for insects' but it known that Mowi Norway applied in February 2019 to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council for an 'interpretation request' on the use of Imidacloprid (then marketed as Ectosan).

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #16

 

 

Mowi's request to the ASC inadvertently prompted the public revelation in March 2020 that Ectosan (then re-named by Benchmark as BMK08) was in fact Imidacloprid.

 

 

 

 

Three days later on 20 March 2020, Benchmark publicly confirmed for the first time that BMK08 was Imidacloprid.

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #17

 

 

In May 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch revealed that Mowi had lobbied the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in March 2020 to support a field trial of Ectosan (Imidacloprid) in Loch Ailort.

 

 

 

 

In financial reports to investors Benchmark have failed disclose the fact that BMK08 (first unveiled as Ectosan in December 2017 but rebranded BMK08 in November 2019) was Imidacloprid.  For example, Benchmark's 2020 Annual Report cites BMK08 a total of 40 times but fails to mention Imidacloprid even once:

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #18

 

 

Benchmark's #2 'Strategic Pillar' detailed in their 2020 Annual Report (p20) is:

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #19

 

Benchmark's 2020 Annual Report includes as a 'Strategic Priority' (p21):

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #20

 

 

Benchmark is banking on the use of BMK08 (Imidacloprid) bringing in profits.

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #21

 

 

Benchmark's 2019 Annual Report includes 30 references to BMK08 but zero references to Imidacloprid or Neonicotinoid:

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #22

 

 

A trading update by Benchmark in November 2019 claimed that BMK08 (Imidacloprid) had "zero environmental impact":

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #23

 

 

 

Yet Imidacloprid was banned in 2018 for use in terrestrial agriculture. 

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #27

 

 

And just last month, Reuters reported that Bayer's appeal on the ban on Imidacloprid was rejected.

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #28

 

 

And earlier this month, the European Parliament's opposition to the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming raises serious question marks over the use of 'Novichok for insects' in salmon farming.

 

 

 

 

 

Intrafish reported (13 June 2021):

 

Intrafish 13 June 2021 #1

Intrafish 13 June 2021 #2

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported (10 June 2021):

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #13

EP vote 9 June 2021 #14

EP vote 9 June 2021 #15

 

 

Here's a FOI request filed yesterday (16 June 2021) with the Norwegian Government's Directorate of Fisheries (similar FOI requests were also sent to other Norwegian Government agencies as well as salmon farming companies including Mowi, Leroy, SalMar and Grieg Seafood - read online here):

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, Jun 16, 2021 at 12:36 PM
Subject: Fwd: FOI re. Benchmark's CleanTreat & Ectosan/BMK08/Imidacloprid since 1 January 2016 (Innsynsrett & Miljøinformasjonsloven)
To: Postmottak <[email protected]>

Please consider this a formal request for Information and request for environmental information under the relevant Norwegian legislation.

Please provide information on Benchmark's CleanTreat water purification system including field trials and any commercial use of Imidacloprid (marketed as Ectosan in 2017 and then re-named BMK08 in 2019 before being revealed in March 2020 as the toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid - prior to 2017 it could have been called D10-Aquatic Blast or another secret trade name) since 1 January 2016.

A FOI request dated 20 March 2020 to various Norwegian Government agencies cited a news report in Fish Farmer magazine in February 2020 detailing how "over the last 24 months, more than 35,000 tonnes of salmon in five Norwegian farms have been treated with BMK08".  Read article in full online via https://www.pressreader.com/uk/fish-farmer/20200211/282488595733006

Please therefore include in your FOI reply any documentation (e.g. emails, letters and other information) relating to the use - via field trials and other methods - of Imidacloprid since 1 January 2016.

Please include any environmental risk assessments, residue studies, ecological surveys, benthic impact research, water quality testing and any other environmental impact information even if heavily redacted. 

Please include any results of field trials, testing, assessment and any other information submitted by Benchmark, Mowi, Leroy and other salmon farming companies.

Please include information on any discussions with the European Medicines Agency, the Scottish Government, Benchmark, Mowi and other salmon farming companies in relation to the use of CleanTreat and Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan - or any other name used by Benchmark or another company) since 1 January 2016. 

Please include any discussions with respect to an MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) of Imidacloprid in the flesh of farmed salmon and the recent European Parliamentary opposition. 

 

This would certainly include the two clinical trials referenced via https://www.fiskeridir.no/Akvakultur/Tildeling-og-tillatelser/Saertillatelser/Forskningstillatelser/Alle-forskningstillatelsene

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #1

 

The above projects involving D-10 Aquatic Blast (Imidacloprid) were reported in the media in August 2020 via:

https://ilaks.no/vil-prove-ut-forbasert-lusemiddel-i-storskala-forsok-vi-tror-og-haper-pa-positivt-svar/

https://www.hblad.no/2020/nyheter/tjente-25-mill-i-fjor/

 

As context to this FOI request, Scottish Salmon Watch understands that Norway is subject to the legal requirements of FOI and Environmental Information law: https://ojs.imodev.org/index.php/RIGO/article/view/10/71

 

However, last year Scottish Salmon Watch filed a FOI request with the Norwegian Government which was not replied to; namely:

FOI request on Imidacloprid to Norwegian Government & Norwegian Food Safety Authority (17 March 2020)

 

When Scottish Salmon Watch pressed the Norwegian Medicines Agency the response was that the information was "considered to be confidential":

From: Tonje Høy <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, Apr 29, 2020 at 3:58 PM
Subject: SV: Imidacloprid clinical trials approved by Norwegian Medicines Agency?
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>

Dear Mr. Staniford,

Information about clinical trials with veterinary medicinal products, performed by pharmaceutical industry, is considered to be confidential information. According to the Norwegian act on medicinal products §30 the NoMA is not allowed to disclose information that is considered commercially sensitive. We can therefore not disclose whether permission to perform clinical trials with imidacloprid has been granted.

Right of appeal

You can appeal against this decision within 3 weeks after you have received this e-mail. The right to appeal is founded on the Public Administration Act, chapter 6 (VI).

An appeal should be sent to The Norwegian Medicines Authority. If we do not take the appeal into account, the appeal is forwarded to the Ministry of Health and Care Services.

Your appeal can be put forward as an e-mail/letter or using the form found on www.legemiddelverket.no. Choose the English version, and then the link “Appeal against an Administrative decision”. 

Kind regards

Tonje Høy, DVM, PhD
Scientific Director, Veterinary Medicine
Telephone: (+47) 922 80 497
www.noma.no

 

 

However, the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency have been forced to disclose "commercially confidential" information on CleanTreat and Imidacloprid (Ectosan/BMK08); namely:

https://donstaniford.typepad.com/files/cleantreat-foi-disclosures-by-the-scottish-government-dec-2019.pdf

https://donstaniford.typepad.com/my-blog/2021/04/sepa-ordered-by-commissioner-to-disclose-commercially-confidential-information-on-cleantreat-bmk08-i.html

https://www.gov.scot/publications/foi-19-01398/

https://www.itspublicknowledge.info/202000275.aspx

 

A FOI disclosure by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to Scottish Salmon Watch on 7 June 2021 included:

Minutes of a meeting between Benchmark, the Scottish Government, SEPA and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate in April 2019:

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #2

 

Here's another email obtained from SEPA via FOI on 7 June 2021 which references field trials in Norway:

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #3

 

 

Another email disclosed by SEPA via FOI on 7 June 2021 includes a timeline in relation to the use of CleanTreat with Ectosan (Imidacloprid/BMK08) since permission was granted for the first field trial in Norway in November 2016:

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #4 Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #5

 

The above email states that the Norwegian field trials of Imidacloprid "were permitted in Norway with a level of discharge that appears to be above the EQS" [Environmental Quality Standard] which Scottish Salmon Watch suspects may breach EU law. 

In any case, Scottish Salmon Watch is therefore asking for transparency and clarification from the Norwegian Government in relation to Imidacloprid use in salmon farming.

It is known via the trade press in 2016 that Salmo Pharma may have been the Norwegian company first involved in trialling Imidacloprid (perhaps then called D10-Aquatic Blast rather than Ectosan or BMK08): https://www.kyst.no/article/dette-er-det-nye-lusemiddelet-salmo-pharma-skal-teste-ut/

This June 2016 article - cited in Scottish Salmon Watch's FOI request of 17 March 2020 to the Norwegian Government - appears to identify companies involved in the first field trials of Imidacloprid in Norway:

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #6

 

Intrafish also appeared to report similar information via https://www.intrafish.no/nyheter/soker-to-fou-tillatelser-for-nytt-lusemiddel/1-1-766165

Apologies since I do not speak Norwegian and hence it is difficult to be sure.  Hopefully your FOI reply can clarify things. 

Via an 'Interpretation Request' from February 2019 published by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, we also know that Mowi Norway may have been involved in a field trial of Imidacloprid in Norway: https://www.asc-aqua.org/what-you-can-do/get-certified/variance-request-interpretation-platform/QA0066/

The owners of Scottish Sea Farms (Leroy and SalMar) may also be involved in field trials of Imidacloprid in Norway.  A FOI disclosure by the Scottish Government in May 2021 included:

 

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #7 Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #8

Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #9
Norway Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #10

 

The Ferret reported last month (21 May 2021): "We are currently focused on launching our new sea lice solution, BMK08 and CleanTreat, in Norway". 

You should be aware of recent opposition by the European Parliament to the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming - including specific mention of the lack of transparency:

Breaking News: Victory in Europe - Parliament votes against the use of the toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in farmed salmon!

Intrafish reported (13 June 2021): "The commercial launch remains subject to marketing authorization in Norway.  Though Norway is not a member of the EU, it is part of the European Medicines Agency, and follows its approval processes closely"

 

Please provide a receipt/acknowledgment for this FOI request.

Please provide the information electronically. 

If you need clarification please do not hesitate to contact me. 

Takk,

 

Don Staniford

Director, Scottish Salmon Watch

 

 

 

Last month (29 May 2021), Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to the London Stock Exchange and the Financial Conduct Authority:

 
 
From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Sat, May 29, 2021 at 12:38 PM
Subject: Misleading financial starements by Benchmark re. BMK08 (Imidacloprid)
To: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Cc: Rachel Aninakwah <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
 
Please consider this a formal complaint against Benchmark (copied in here) for misleading statements and the omission of crucial market information regarding BMK08/Ectosan (the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid - described in an article published this week by the Guardian as 'Novichok for insects'). 
 
Scottish Salmon Watch honestly believes that Benchmark is guilty of misrepresentation and non-disclosure in relation to BMK08/Ectosan.  Benchmark has patently failed to inform shareholders, investors, the public, the stock exchange and the media that BMK08/Ectosan is in fact the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid.
 
For example:
 
- Benchmark's main web-page omits to mention the fact that BMK08 is imidacloprid:
 
- When Benchmark first marketed Imidacloprid in December 2017 it was hidden behind the trade name Ectosan with the claim that it had "no environmental impact":
 
- In November 2019, Benchmark re-named Ectosan as BMK08 but still failed to disclose the fact that it was the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid and claiming that it had "zero environmental impact" with regulatory approval expected in late 2020:
 
- On 17 March 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch and The Ferret publicly reported for the first time that BMK08/Ectosan was Imidacloprid:
 
- On 20 March 2020, Benchmark first disclosed that BMK08 was Imidacloprid (this appears to be the only time and public statement from Benchmark admitting that Ectosan/BMK08 was Imidacloprid):
 
- Financial updates by Benchmark have failed to disclose the fact that BMK08 is Imidacloprid:
 
- Financial reports - quarterly and annual - have failed to mention the fact that BMK08/Ectosan is Imidacloprid:
 
- A regulatory update by Benchmark in September 2020 failed to disclose the fact that BMK08 is Imidacloprid and claimed that the banned neonicotinoid was "safe to use":
 
- A regulatory update by Benchmark in March 2021 failed to disclose BMK08 was Imidacloprid suggesting that the product was environmentally friendly and sustainable:
 
- A regulatory update by Benchmark in April 2021 not only failed to disclose BMK08 as Imidacloprid but wrongly stated that an MRL "has now been ratified under EU law":
 
 
Scottish Salmon Watch therefore questions whether Benchmark has breached any financial reporting and disclosure requirements. 
 
Certainly, Scottish Salmon Watch believes that Benchmark misled the financial market - including the London Stock Exchange - in a press release issued on 16 April 2021 (see enclosed below along with an email to Benchmark).
 
Furthermore, Benchmark has failed to notify investors that Imidacloprid was banned in 2018 and earlier this month had appeal by Bayer knocked back: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eu-top-court-upholds-eu-ban-bayer-pesticides-linked-harming-bees-2021-05-06/
 
Just yesterday the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety voted in support of a motion objecting to an MRL for the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming with a vote expected in the European Parliament's plenary next month:
https://donstaniford.typepad.com/my-blog/2021/05/wave-of-european-opposition-to-benchmarks-imidacloprid-bmk08-the-tide-turns-against-neonicotinoids-i.html
 
The motion - led by Grace O'Sullivan MEP - presented the scientific case against Imidacloprid:
 
If, as expected, the European Parliament and European Commission outlaw the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming then the financial impact on Benchmark will be crippling and may blow BMK08 out of the water completely not only in Scotland but also in Norway, Chile and Canada. 
 
It is certainly too early to claim, as Benchmark did last month to investors, that BMK08 had already been "ratified by EU law".   Indeed, it is a very real prospect that BMK08 (Imidacloprid) will be outlawed by the EU and banned for use in salmon farming as it is already for terrestrial agriculture.
 
Meanwhile, Benchmark continues to mislead investors and the media that BMK08 is close to commercial launch (again failing to disclose the alarming fact that BMK08 is the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid and public opposition to neonicotinoids is growing):
 
 
Scottish Salmon Watch has published extensively on this issue and has included information in a blog published today via:
 
 
We invite Benchmark - copied in here - to explain why they have misled the financial community and to come clean on their planned use of a banned neonicotinoid which is clearly neither an environmentally friendly option nor a palatable prospect for the public. 
 
Finally, we invite the financial community to investigate whether Benchmark is guilty of non-disclosure and deceptive financial statements.
 
Further information on this controversial and toxic issue is available via:
 

European Opposition to Neonicotinoid Contamination of Farmed Salmon - is BMK08 (Imidacloprid) dead in the water?

The Guardian: "‘Novichok for insects’ may be approved for Scottish fish farms"

Who are the toxic team lurking behind Benchmark's BMK08 (Imidacloprid) in Scottish salmon pharming?

The Ferret: "Bee-killing pesticide treatment for fish farms backed by Scottish Government"

Cleaning Tox-Sick Scottish Salmon - Benchmark's magic trick making the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid disappear!

Rumsfeldian Fish Philosophy - Things We Know We Know, Things We Now Know We Don't Know & Things We Don't Know We Don't Know About 'Scottish' Salmon!

SEPA ordered by Commissioner to Disclose 'Commercially Confidential' Information on CleanTreat & BMK08 (Imidacloprid) by 7 June

Warning: Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid Use in Salmon Farming "Clears Another Hurdle" With European MRL

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!

Toxic Politics - Meet the Scottish Government's Minister for Sinister Chemicals

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

 
Thanks,
 
Don Staniford
 
Director, Scottish Salmon Watch
 
 
 

 

 

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