Breaking News: Victory in Europe - @Europarl_EN votes against the use of the toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in farmed salmon! @GraceOSllvn @europeangreens https://t.co/GuPl3tj62S
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 10, 2021
Benchmark’s BMK08 (Imidacloprid) is dead in the water in Europe! @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner pic.twitter.com/s3lZtrCKrw
Last night (9 June 2021), MEPs in the European Parliament voted against the use of the toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in salmon farming when they supported an objection to an MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) in farmed salmon.
Grace O'Sullivan MEP Tweeted (10 June 2021):
My resolution calling on @EU_Commission to block use of a toxic pesticide in EU's fish farms has passed!
— Grace O'Sullivan MEP (@GraceOSllvn) June 10, 2021
Imidacloprid is linked to biodiversity loss + already banned for certain agri uses on land.
I pursued based on evidence it's bad for both terrestrial and marine-life👏 pic.twitter.com/alxkkufEU6
Here's a press release from Grace O'Sullivan MEP - who led the opposition to the banned neonicotinoid (dubbed by Professor Dave Goulson of the University of Sussex as 'Novichok for insects') - issued before the European Parliament vote in the Plenary session yesterday (9 June 2021):
***Press Release***
Grace O'Sullivan MEP Calls on European Union to Ban Toxic Pesticide Use in Salmon Farming in Key Vote
A resolution by Green MEP for Ireland South, Grace O'Sullivan, calling on the Commission to block the use of a toxic neonicotinoid in the EU's fish farms will be voted this week by the European Parliament.
The Imidacloprid pesticide is already banned in the EU for certain agricultural uses on land, and has been linked to biodiversity loss and a decline in bee populations. There is mounting evidence that the use of this neonicotinoid has a devastating impact on rivers and waterways and its use in Japan has been linked to a dramatic collapse of fish stocks. Despite this, the European Commission is proposing to establish a Maximum Residue Level for Imidacloprid, which will clear the way for the pesticide's use in EU aquaculture as a treatment for sea lice.
Speaking prior to the vote today, Grace O'Sullivan said "We need to put a stop to the use of dangerous neonicotinoids in fish farming. We know that this chemical has devastating impacts on the environment and biodiversity. For this very reason the EU already banned its use on certain crops, a decision more recently upheld by the European Court of Justice. We won't accept the use of Imidacloprid on crops, and we won't accept it in our marine environment either."
The Resolution was passed by the Committee on the Environment, Food Safety and Public Health by 49 votes to 27, with two abstentions, and will be voted on by the European Parliament on Wednesday 9 June at 12:45 CET.
"We need to put a stop to the use of dangerous neonicotinoids in fish farming. We know that this chemical has devastating impacts on biodiversity. We won't accept the use of Imidacloprid on crops & we won't accept it in our marine environment" @GraceOSllvn https://t.co/TspPGvVQXd pic.twitter.com/qsxVGGMXXK
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 10, 2021
Don Staniford, Director of Scottish Salmon Watch, said in response to the European Parliament's objection to Imidacloprid:
"The use of Imidacloprid - dubbed 'Novichok for insects' - in salmon farming in Scotland is now dead in the water. Salmon farming is Scotland's 'Silent Spring of the Sea' with a lethal cocktail of toxic chemicals such as Azamethiphos, Emamectin benzoate, Deltamethrin, Hydrogen peroxide and Formaldehyde already flooding Scottish waters. The European Parliament's opposition to Imidacloprid - banned for use in terrestrial agriculture in 2018 - effectively kills any use of BMK08/Ectosan (Imidacloprid) by companies such as Mowi in Scotland as Europe is such a key market for Scottish salmon. Serious questions must now be asked of Benchmark's lack of disclosure to investors and the stock market."
In simple words, fish farms want to use bee killer to kill sea lice, the EU worries that folk eating salmon will get a dose too, as will any aquatic life if there’s a spill. That’s on top of any antibiotics already in your lunchtime sandwich. https://t.co/BuG8frCGDL
— Eòghann MacUalraig (@ewangkennedy) June 10, 2021
Here's the European Parliament's web-site detailing the text adopted today (10 June 2021):
Download the text in full as a PDF online here
Very proud @ZoeZebedee for all the months of tirelessly working to protect our aquatic environment against this “agent orange broad spectrum killer”. The fact that the @EU_Commission didn’t want to publish the studies was… well fishy to say the least #transparency #imidacloprid pic.twitter.com/YKdOr4IJip
— Günther Dauwen 🏴🇪🇺🎗 (@GDauwen) June 10, 2021
Scottish Salmon Watch wrote this morning to the London Stock Exchange (where Benchmark is floated) and the Financial Conduct Authority:
Date: Thu, Jun 10, 2021 at 9:17 AM
Subject: EP votes against MRL for Imidacloprid (BMK08) in farmed salmon - Benchmark loses access to key market
To: Customer Contact Centre <consumer.queries@fca.org.uk>, AIM Regulation <aimregulation@lseg.com>
Cc: <info@benchmarkplc.com>, Rachel Aninakwah <rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.com>
Surely Benchmark (copied in here) must now disclose to investors how their BMK08 (Imidacloprid) is now dead in the water for use in farmed salmon destined for Europe (a significant market)?
Tune in for tomorrow's vote @Europarl_EN on an objection to the toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in salmon pharming @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner @GraceOSllvn @europeangreens https://t.co/GuPl3tj62S
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 8, 2021
When is Benchmark going to inform investors that BMK08 is dead in the water? #BMK08 pic.twitter.com/8EMHagLQMl
When will Benchmark warn investors that their 'environmentally friendly' CleanTreat system deploys the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid ('Novichok for insects') which is opposed by the European Parliament? @proactive_UK @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner https://t.co/TspPGvVQXd #BMK08 pic.twitter.com/DjxNzUd2OE
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 10, 2021
Date: Sat, May 29, 2021 at 12:38 PM
Subject: Misleading financial starements by Benchmark re. BMK08 (Imidacloprid)
To: <newsroom@lseg.com>, <firm.queries@fca.org.uk>
Cc: Rachel Aninakwah <rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.com>, <info@benchmarkplc.com>, <benchmark@mhpc.com>
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"
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
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
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
A vote later today by the European Parliament's Environment Committee may severely impede the passage for the regulatory approval of Imidacloprid - dubbed the 'Novichok for insects' - or even leave it dead in the water @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner https://t.co/FnsWTQ4Xw8 #BMK08 pic.twitter.com/PbJHYNxuPh
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 28, 2021
Wave of European Opposition to Benchmark's Imidacloprid (BMK08) - the tide turns against neonicotinoids in salmon pharming!https://t.co/NwAcL440Mo
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 29, 2021
A motion against Imidacloprid was adopted yesterday (28 May 2021) by the European Parliament's Committee on the Environment #BMK08 pic.twitter.com/cU2nERnWWU
"It’s like the wild west" said @DaveGoulson "These chemicals are incredibly poisonous – the novichok for insects. It takes a billionth of a gram to harm aquatic life, so even tiny traces would have major impacts on marine life" @guardian @WeAreBenchmark https://t.co/OzouYaXCEk
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 27, 2021
Marine Scotland’s director, Annabel Turpie, has backed a treatment system for farmed fish designed to use a pesticide with “potentially devastating consequences for marine life”.https://t.co/kCHxUc4YBC
— The Ferret (@FerretScot) May 21, 2021
Meet the toxic team behind the use of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in Scottish salmon pharming! https://t.co/AvF9wXoiNh @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner @marinescotland @ScottishEPA @MairiMcAllan @MairiGougeon @GreenerScotland #Imidacloprid #BMK08 #Neonicotinoid #SEPA #Toxic pic.twitter.com/pH4c2aAZre
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 21, 2021
FOI reveals Benchmark's vanishing act claiming to make the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid disappear! https://t.co/OSsCH10m4C
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 21, 2021
"The biggest con trick since Harry Houdini"
"Straight out of Muppet Labs" @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner @ScottishEPA @MairiMcAllan @DaveGoulson @PAN_UK pic.twitter.com/NquarUKNZi
In April 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to Benchmark questioning the accuracy of the claim that BMK08 (Imidacloprid) had been "ratified under EU law".
Date: Mon, Apr 19, 2021 at 9:44 AM
Subject: Imidacloprid MRL "ratified under EU Law"
To: Rachel Aninakwah <rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.
Date: Mon, Apr 19, 2021 at 9:44 AM
Subject: Imidacloprid MRL "ratified under EU Law"
To: Rachel Aninakwah <rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2021 at 11:04
Subject: Benchmark Holdings - BMK08+CleanTreat Update
To:

16 April 2021
Benchmark Holdings
("Benchmark" or the "Company")
BMK08+CleanTreatÒ Update
Ratification of Maximum Residue Limit under European Law
Significant milestone towards the commercialisation of BMK08 and CleanTreatÒ
Further to the notification made on 10 September 2020, Benchmark Holdings is pleased to announce that the MRL (Maximum Residue Limit) for its novel sea lice treatment BMK08 has now been ratified under European Law. The MRL confirms the safety of Benchmark's sea lice solution for consumers and represents a significant milestone in the regulatory approval process towards the anticipated commercial launch of BMK08 and CleanTreatÒ in Norway. The commercial launch remains subject to the grant of a Marketing Authorisation in Norway.
BMK08 and CleanTreatÒ is a transformational solution addressing the biggest biological challenge in salmon farming. The MRL EU ratification is the culmination of almost a decade of research and development, a rigorous trial programme and substantial capital investment by Benchmark.
Trond Williksen, CEO, commented:
"The ratification of the MRL is a further stepping stone towards commercialisation following the announcement of our first customer agreements for CleanTreatâ announced in March.
Sea lice continues to be the biggest biological challenge for salmon producers and Benchmark's novel solution addresses this challenge in a sustainable way both in terms of animal welfare and environmental impact."
Enquiries:
Benchmark Holdings plc |
Tel: 020 3696 0630 |
Ivonne Cantu, Investor Relations Director |
|
Rachel Aninakwah, Communications |
|
Numis (Broker and NOMAD) |
Tel: 020 7260 1000 |
James Black / Freddie Barnfield / Duncan Monteith |
|
MHP |
|
Katie Hunt /Alistair de Kare-Silver |
Tel: 020 3128 8742 |
"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
Reuters reported last month (6 May 2021):
In March 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch and The Ferret revealed that BMk08 (formerly marketed by Benchmark as 'Ectosan') was the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid.
Revealed: Toxic Neonicotinoid Insecticide Used to 'CleanTreat' Lousy Salmon https://t.co/ORQS4EAeDS @WeAreBenchmark @MowiScotlandLtd @scotseafarms @salmon_scottish @GriegShetland @ScottishEPA @SSPOsays @IntraFishNorge @FergusEwingMSP @ASC_aqua @marinescotland @rspcaassured pic.twitter.com/JOrTRbJExD
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) March 17, 2020
Campaigners fear that a nicotine pesticide that the fish farming industry and the Scottish Government want to trial in Scotland could threaten marine wildlife.https://t.co/bw5IBgTwqi
— The Ferret (@FerretScot) March 17, 2020
Imidacloprid was marketed as D10 Aquatic Blast in 2014.
Do you know if Imidacloprid is already being used in Canadian salmon farming? Investors were encouraged back in 2014 to support the use of D10-Aquatic Blast (Imidacloprid) https://t.co/WJosc565Qv @DFO_Pacific @CBCNews @environmentca @CermaqCan @MowiCanadaWest @GovCanHealth
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 10, 2021
Then in 2017, Benchmark promoted Imidacloprid as Ectosan (without telling investors or the public that it was 'Novichok for insects') before rebranding it as BMK08 in 2019. Read more about the 'horrible history' online here
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
In May 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch revealed that Mowi had lobbied the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to support a field trial of Imidacloprid (Ectosan) in Loch Ailort.
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
In April 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch warned:
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
Read more via:
- Fish Farming Expert: "Novel lice treatment threatened by European Parliament vote"
- Wave of European Opposition to Benchmark's Imidacloprid (BMK08) - the tide turns against neonicotinoids in salmon pharming!
- 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
Please take the pledge to boycott pharmed salmon! https://t.co/srvE2G4DEs#Boycott #Toxic #Salmon pic.twitter.com/nw547JStIF
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 9, 2021