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June 2021

06/29/2021

Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid Dogged by Lawsuits, Bans & Deaths - Is Benchmark's BMK08 in the doghouse or will it be unleashed?

 

 

 

 

Norwegian-owned Benchmark may be getting that itchy feeling as study after study reveals the lethal nature of their 'secret' neonicotinoid weapon to kill lice (Scottish Salmon Watch revealed in March 2020 that BMK08 - previously marketed as Ectosan - was the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid).   Investors should heed the warning bells from scientists as well as legal action on the banned neonicotinoid dubbed 'Novichok for insects' by Professor Dave Goulson of the University of Sussex. 

 

Dogs fleas

 

 

"If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas", or in Latin, qui cum canibus concumbunt cum pulicibus surgent.   According to Wikipedia, the phrase "he that lieth down with dogs shall rise up with fleas" has been attributed to Benjamin Franklin whilst the Latin has been unreliably attributed to Seneca.    The phrase leaps to mind as Benchmark doggedly chases their tail lobbying regulators in Norway, Scotland, Chile and Canada to sanction the use of banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Center for Biological Diversity reported in April 2021 that pet collars containing Imidacloprid are subject to a legal petition in the United States following the deaths of nearly 1,700 pets:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #6

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #7

 



 

USA Today reported (8 April 2021): 

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #9

 

The article included:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #8

And:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #10

 

 

 

Reuters reported in May 2021 that Bayer's appeal on the EU ban on Imidacloprid had died a death in the courts. 

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #11

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #12

 

 

Professor Dave Goulson of the University of Sussex - author of the forthcoming 'Silent Earth' - told The Guardian (27 May 2021):

 

 

 

 

It seems that Benchmark's plans to unleash 'Novichok for insects' on salmon farming could be a graveyard for investors as well as nature.

 

Pet sematary

 

 

 

USA Today reported in March 2021:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #13

 

 

 

 

Just last week (24 June 2021), USA Today reported:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #14

 

 

 

 

Earlier this month (16 June 2021),  financial news site Seeking Alpha reported on the "litigation risks" associated with Elanco's Imidacloprid-infused pet collars warning of a "growing public relations nightmare ahead".

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #15

 

 

Investors in Benchmark would do well to heed the warning bells. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legal Reader reported in April 2021:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #16

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #17

 

 

 

The Ferret reported in May 2021 that the Scottish Government is paving the way for the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming in Scotland.

 

Ferret 21 May 2021 #1

Ferret 21 May 2021 #2

Ferret 21 May 2021 #3

Ferret 21 May 2021 #4

Ferret 21 May 2021 #5

 

 

 

 

In May 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch revealed that Mowi (the world's largest salmon farming company) had lobbied the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to support a field trial of Ectosan (Imidacloprid) in Loch Ailort near Fort William - prompting the Scottish Greens to express their "deep concern" in a letter to Scotland's Environment Minister. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch revealed earlier this month (17 June 2021) that clinical trials of D-10 Aquatic Blast (Imidacloprid) had been taking place in Norway since 2017 with field trials of BMK08 (Imidacloprid) also taking place at at least five salmon farms involving 35,000 tonnes of fish in 2018/2019.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch revealed last week (25 June 2021) that Environment Canada was considering a trial in Canada in 2019. 

 

 

 

 

The Veterinary Record reported in May 2021:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #1

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #2

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #3

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #4

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #5

 

 

The Guardian reported (17 November 2020):

 

Imidacloprid Pets Nov 2020 #4

 

 

Science of the Total Environment reported (7 November 2020):

 

Imidacloprid Pets Nov 2020 #1


Imidacloprid Pets Nov 2020 #2

Imidacloprid Pets Nov 2020 #3


Imidacloprid Pets Nov 2020 #3

 

 

 

 

 

The Daily Mail reported (17 November 2020):

 

Imidacloprid Pets Nov 2020 #5

Imidacloprid Pets Nov 2020 #6

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Norwegian-owned Benchmark continues with their dogged pursuit of approval for Imidacloprid in salmon farming.  

 

 

 

 

 

In an interview with the Norwegian financial newspaper Dagens Naringsliv earlier this month, Benchmark once again failed to tell investors that BMK08 was the banned toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid. 

 

Benchmark AquaNor June 2021 #1

 

Benchmark AquaNor June 2021 #2 Benchmark AquaNor June 2021 #3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Given the bad press for neonicotinoids it is hardly surprising that Benchmark are blowing smoke on BMK08 (previously known as Ectosan).   Informing investors that their "new sea lice medicine" - which Benchmark claimed in November 2019 has 'zero environmental impact' - is actually a banned neonicotinoid would hardly be good for business.  Science reported in April 2018:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #18 Pet deaths blog June 2021 #19

 

National Geographic reported in November 2019:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #20

 

Science reported in November 2019:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #21

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #22

 

 

Benchmark's silence on Imidacloprid - which they secretly developed back in 2011 - certainly speaks volumes. 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile the science detailing significant environmental impacts of Imidacloprid in aquatic ecosystems says it all.  Hakai magazine reported in May 2020:

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #23

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #24

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch summarized the scientific evidence against the use of Imidacloprid in June 2020.

 

Imidacloprid Scientific & Media Backgrounder June 2020 #1

Imidacloprid scientific titles #1

Imidacloprid scientific titles #2

 

Scientific References:

The new aspects of using some safe feed additives on alleviated imidacloprid toxicity in farmed fish: a review.  Reviews in Aquaculture, April 2020

Insecticide exposure during brood or early-adult development reduces brain growth and impairs adult learning in bumblebees.  Proceedings of the Royal Society B, March 2020 

Coral Reef Organisms: Differential Sensitivities to an Agricultural Pesticide.  Ocean Sciences, February 2020

Environmental pollution from pet parasiticides.  Veterinary Record, January 2020

Sub-lethal Effects of Imidacloprid on Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).  Water, Soil & Air Pollution, January 2020

The effect of air exposure, handling stress and imidacloprid on the susceptibility of Crassostrea gigas to ostreid herpesvirus 1 (OsHV-1).  Aquaculture Environment Interactions, December 2019 

Neonicotinoids disrupt aquatic food webs and decrease fishery yields.  Science, November 2019

Effects of insecticides, fipronil and imidacloprid, on the growth, survival, and behavior of brown shrimp Farfantepenaeus aztecus.  PLoS One, October 2019

Acute Toxicity of Imidacloprid on the Developmental Stages of Common Carp Cyprinus carpio.  Toxicology & Environmental Health Sciences, October 2019

A neonicotinoid insecticide reduces fueling and delays migration in songbirds.  Science, September 2019

Imidacloprid Induces Adverse Effects on Fish Early Life Stages That Are More Severe in Japanese Medaka (Oryzias Latipes) Than in Zebrafish (Danio Rerio).  Chemosphere, June 2019

Trends in Neonicotinoid Pesticide Residues in Food and Water in the United States, 1999-2015.  Environmental Health, January 2019

Neonicotinoid insecticide mixtures: Evaluation of laboratory-based toxicity predictions under semi-controlled field conditions.  Environmental Pollution, December 2018

Neonicotinoid exposure disrupts bumblebee nest behavior, social networks, and thermoregulation.  Science, November 2018

Were the sharp declines of dragonfly populations in the 1990s in Japan caused by fipronil and imidacloprid? An analysis of Hill’s causality for the case of Sympetrum frequens.   Environmental Science & Pollution Research, October 2018

Chronic effects of an environmentally-relevant, short-term neonicotinoid insecticide pulse on four aquatic invertebrates.  Science of the Total Environment, October 2018

Imidacloprid Poisoning: An Emerging Cause of Potentially Fatal Poisoning.  Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine, November 2017

An update of the Worldwide Integrated Assessment (WIA) on systemic insecticides. Part 2: impacts on organisms and ecosystems.  Environmental Science & Pollution Research, November 2017

Neonicotinoids act like endocrine disrupting chemicals in newly-emerged bees and winter bees.  Scientific Reports, September 2017

Comparative ecotoxicity of imidacloprid and dinotefuran to aquatic insects in rice mesocosms.  Ecotoxicology & Environmental Safety, April 2017

Peer review of the pesticide risk assessment for the active substance imidacloprid in light of confirmatory data submitted.  European Food Safety Authority, November 2016

Contamination of the Aquatic Environment with Neonicotinoids and its Implication for Ecosystems.  Frontiers in Environmental Science, November 2016

Sensitivity of the Early-Life Stages of Freshwater Mollusks to Neonicotinoid and Butenolide Insecticides.   Environmental Pollution, November 2016

A Screening of Multiple Classes of Pharmaceutical Compounds for Effect on Preadult Salmon Lice Lepeophtheirus Salmonis.  Journal of Fish Diseases, October 2016

Neonicotinoid contamination of global surface waters and associated risk to aquatic invertebrates: A review.   Environment International, January 2015

Effects of neonicotinoids and fipronil on non-target invertebrates.  Environmental Science & Pollution Research, September 2014

Environmental fate and exposure; neonicotinoids and fipronil.  Environmental Science & Pollution Research, August 2014

Systemic pesticide concerns extend beyond the bees.  Current Biology, August 2014

Risks of large-scale use of systemic insecticides to ecosystem functioning and services.  Environmental Science & Pollution Research, July 2014

A review of the direct and indirect effects of neonicotinoids and fipronil on vertebrate wildlife.  Environmental Science & Pollution Research, June 2014

An overview of the environmental risks posed by neonicotinoid insecticides.  Journal of Applied Ecology, June 2013

Macro-Invertebrate Decline in Surface Water Polluted with Imidacloprid.  PLoS One, May 2013

The neonicotinoid imidacloprid shows high chronic toxicity to mayfly nymphs.  Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry, February 2013

The Neonicotinoid Insecticide Imidacloprid Repels Pollinating Flies and Beetles at Field-Realistic Concentrations.  PLoS One, January 2013

Exposure to multiple cholinergic pesticides impairs olfactory learning and memory in honeybees.  Journal of Experimental Biology, 2013

Cumulative ecological impacts of two successive annual treatments of imidacloprid and fipronil on aquatic communities of paddy mesocosms.  Ecotoxicology & Environmental Safety, June 2012

Effects of imidacloprid exposure on Chironomus riparius Meigen larvae: Linking acetylcholinesterase activity to behaviour.  Ecotoxicology & Environmental Safety, July 2011

Behaviour and Growth of Chironomus riparius Meigen (Diptera: Chironomidae) under Imidacloprid Pulse and Constant Exposure Scenarios.  Water, Air, & Soil Pollution, December 2010

Hazard identification of imidacloprid to aquatic environment.  Chemosphere, August 2009

Acute Human Self-Poisoning With Imidacloprid Compound: A Neonicotinoid Insecticide.  PloS One, April 2009

Fatal Intoxication With Imidacloprid Insecticide.   American Journal of Emergency Medicine, June 2008

Acute and Chronic Toxicity of Imidacloprid to the Aquatic Invertebrates Chironomus tentans and Hyalella azteca under Constant- and Pulse-Exposure Conditions.  Archives of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology, January 2008

Comparative toxicity of imidacloprid, of its commercial liquid formulation and of diazinon to a non-target arthropod, the microcrustacean Daphnia magna.  Chemosphere, July 2007

Acute toxicity of imidacloprid and fipronil to a nontarget aquatic insect, Simulium vittatum Zetterstedt cytospecies IS-7.  Bulletin of Environmental Contamination & Toxicology, May 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

The weight of scientific evidence against Imidacloprid keeps on building - whether it is in relation to the impact on fish as this scientific paper published in March 2021 reports. 

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #25 Pet deaths blog June 2021 #26

 

Or the impact on shellfish as this scientific paper published in August 2020 reports.

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #27

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #28

 

And this scientific paper published in November 2020.

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #30

 

And another scientific paper published in November 2020.

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #31

 

 

Scientific research published in September 2020 reported the impact of Imidacloprid on flies.

 

Pet deaths blog June 2021 #29

 

It is hard to escape the conclusion that Benchmark's claim that the use of BMK08 (Imidacloprid) in salmon farming is to "the highest environmental and welfare credentials available" is complete and utter bullshit.

 

Flies shit

 

Bullshit meter 3

 

 

Thankfully, the European Parliament agreed earlier this month that the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming should be resolutely opposed. 

 

 

 

 

Hopefully, the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming is now dead in the water - at least in Europe. 

 

 

 



 

Read more via:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted at 02:32 PM |

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"Probe launched over claims of ‘sonic torture’ at Scots fish farms"

ISSF ADDs June 2021 #3

 



 

The Sunday National and The Ferret reported (27 June 2021):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via The Sunday National: "Probe launched over claims of ‘sonic torture’ at Scots fish farms"

 

 

 

 

 

Inside Scottish Salmon Feedlots issued a press release and video footage yesterday (28 June 2021) exposing the continued use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices by salmon farms across Scotland:

 

ISSF ADDs June 2021 #4

 

PRESS RELEASE | CAUGHT RED HANDED!
 
Community groups show salmon farmers are still using damaging seal scarers despite claims
 
As a new study is published (8th June) which confirms that seal-scarers on salmon farms (known as Acoustic Deterrent Devices, ADDs) are likely to be damaging the hearing of porpoises in large areas of Scotland’s coastal waters, including inside areas specifically set aside for their protection, community groups and campaigners today produce evidence about their ongoing use and ask Police Scotland to investigate.
 
ADDs are perceived by the human ear as a long series of intense and high-speed metallic clicks. They can be heard underwater more than 60km from the source. The impacts on marine life, particularly dolphins and porpoises who rely on echolocation to catch food, are likely catastrophic.
The study highlights “the potential for auditory impairment from ADD noise to non-target species such as harbour porpoises, at distances exceeding 28 km from aquaculture sites, amounting to over 23% of a designated porpoise SAC”.
 
Deliberately or recklessly disturbing any individual porpoise, dolphin or whale is illegal in Scotland.
 
The Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) and the Centre for Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS) modelled the combined noise from ADDs from 120 fish farms covering an area from Cape Wrath to the Clyde.
 
In response to the new study the salmon farming industry's representative body, the SSPO, is reported to have stated on the 9th June 2021 that,
 
“There are currently no ADDs in use at Scottish fish farms but the SSPO would consider redeploying newer devices that were compliant with Marine Scotland and the US Marine Mammals Protection Act (MMPA),”
 
On the 1st March 2021 the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation also issued the following statement,
 
Anne Anderson, Director of Sustainability for the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) said:
 
“Scottish salmon farmers are not using any acoustic deterrent devices that may have been considered to endanger cetaceans such as dolphins, porpoises and whales. All devices the sector does not have total confidence in, with regards to the harming of protected species, have been turned off and removed from the marine environment.”
 
However, following reports earlier this year from members of the public and salmon farm employees themselves, considerable evidence has been gathered which proves, beyond any doubt, the ongoing use of ADDs on a number of salmon farms. This despite the SSPO's claims to the contrary, now and in March.
 
John Aitchison, Coastal Communities Network Scotland said,
“We welcome this report which confirms our longstanding concerns that seal-scaring devices on Scotland’s salmon farms are harming porpoises and dolphins.
 
This is also about trust. In 2020, Marine Scotland (MS) told all of Scotland’s fish farming companies that they needed licences to use all the currently available types of seal-scarers, unless they could demonstrate that the devices would not disturb cetaceans. MS also confirmed that porpoises occur wherever there are fish farms. No farms have yet been issued with these licences, but when Clyde Porpoise CIC checked ten active farms this week, all of them still had their ADDs blaring.
 
The claims made by the salmon farming industry that ADD use has ended are untrue and we no longer trust these companies.
 
If they care about their reputations at all, we call on every fish farm operator to state for the record that they have stopped using all ADD’s and that the waters around their fish farms in Shetland, Orkney, the Hebrides and the West Coast are now free from this harmful noise pollution.
 
If they believe their ADDs do not harm porpoises and dolphins, we call on them to publish the proof.
 
We are also making a formal report to Police Scotland and we will request that Cabinet Secretary Mairi Gougeon and Environment Minister Mairi McAllan, responsible for fish farming, urgently investigate this issue.”
 
The table below outlines some of the locations where the use of ADD’s has been documented.
 
Surveying of fish farms for ADD use had so far only reached Loch Fyne and Loch Striven areas. Almost every active fish farm was found to be using ADDs. Surveying of other areas has not yet been possible.
 
Marine Scotland inspectors are known to have visited Meall Mhor salmon farm in Loch Fyne in early May, when ADD’s were presumably still in place, active and continued to be used. It is not known if any guidance was issued at this point.
 
Following the 9th June statement by the SSPO, we can also report that ADDs were still operating at Ardyne, Strone and Sgian Dubh salmon farms on the same day.
 
These farms are operated by The Scottish Salmon Company (owned by Bakkafost in the Faroes).
 
The Scottish Salmon Company is a main supplier of farmed salmon to the Co-op and Waitrose, as well as exporting to the US.
 
Clyde Porpoise CIC founder David Nairn who collected much of the evidence said:
 
“This damaging form of noise pollution is harming some of our most precious wildlife. The salmon farming industry has denied and obfuscated about ADDs for too long. The Scottish Government must act decisively to categorically end the use of ADDs now, and I call on them to do so.”
 
Video footage collected by other investigators in which ADDs can be heard clearly, is being made available for two other salmon farms:
 
Meall Mhor 24/04/2021: https://bit.ly/MeallMhor24_04_2021
Strondir Bay 19/05/2021: https://bit.ly/StrondirBay19_05_2021
 
David and Jean Ainsley, a couple local to Oban who run a marine wildlife tourism business and whose initial petition, now signed by over 31,000 people, which calls on the Scottish Government to ban ADDs said,
 
“Under Scottish law, it is an offence to disturb or injure any porpoise, dolphin or whale. All ADDs including the new devices disturb and can deafen these iconic mammals. If deafened, these echolocating animals will starve. Disturbance would be legal if a farm held a protected species licence, however, a licence cannot be granted if there is a satisfactory alternative.
 
Many fish farms in Scotland do not use ADDs. They use stronger or double nets to keep farmed salmon and seals separated. Farms using ADDs were given the opportunity to apply for these licences but withdrew their applications and the SSPO reported twice that no fish farms were using ADDs, we know this is not true and any fish farm using ADDs where they could disturb porpoise, dolphins or whales is breaking the law.
 
We are starting an “ADD Watch” campaign. Please help Porpoises, Dolphins and Whales, by placing a GoPro below the surface when passing a fish farm. If you record metallic clicking noises, report it to us. The details are on the latest update to this 31,000 name petition.
Marine Scotland must do their job to enforce the laws that protect these special animals.”
 
Guy Linley-Adams, an environmental lawyer with extensive experience of fish farming in Scotland said,
 
"Given what we now know, we sincerely hope that Police Scotland will investigate the fish farming companies concerned. However, this yet again highlights the shortcomings of the Scottish Government’s approach to the regulation of salmon farming in Scotland, in this area and others. That these issues have to be policed by citizens, rather than regulators given proper resources, remit and teeth, is a national shame for Scotland. The findings do also seem to cast doubt on the wisdom of relying on self-reporting in other areas of fish farming.”
 
Most Scottish salmon farms use cheap single nets. Dead fish accumulate and tempt seals to bite salmon through the net. Well over a hundred salmon farms have used ADDs to deter seals, but there are alternatives: MOWI for example used ADDs and used to shoot seals in Scotland, however in British Columbia, where ADDs and seal shooting are banned, the same company uses double-skinned anti-predator nets. In Q1 this year MOWI Scotland reported EBIT of £22.9m, a big increase on the £5.7m made in Q1 2020.
 
Salmon farming companies in Scotland can afford to make the investments needed, in this area and others, to protect our environment. However, without regulation, a plan for transition and the Scottish Government continuing to prioritise big business over the environment, they have little incentive to do so.
 
ENDS
 
NOTES FOR EDITORS
 
Information Note and Frequently Asked Questions for the Operators of Finfish Farms on the use of Acoustic Deterrent Devices and the Requirement for a European Protected Species Licence
 
Marine Scotland October 2020
 
What are European Protected Species (EPS)?
 
These are species which are listed in Annex IV(a) of the Habitats Directive whose natural range includes any area in Scottish inshore waters. They include all species of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), marine turtles and the Atlantic sturgeon.
 
Legislation in Scottish Inshore Waters
Regulation 39(1)(a) of the Habitats Regulations sets out offences that relate to a number of specific circumstances in which EPS can be injured/disturbed. Furthermore, due to the differing strategies of cetaceans and our limited knowledge of them, Regulation 39(2) provides cetaceans with additional protection from disturbance by making it an offence to ‘deliberately or recklessly disturb any dolphin, porpoise or whale (cetacean).’
 
ADDs and disturbance of cetaceans
Current scientific evidence shows that cetaceans can be disturbed by ADDs used at Scottish finfish farms. The potential for disturbance from ADDs will vary widely based on multiple factors including: the sound characteristics of ADDs and the manner in which they are deployed, the environment in which ADDs are used (factors affecting how far sound travels include bathymetry, sediment and sediment types), other noise sources and species’ behavioural characteristics.
 
Do I need to apply for an EPS licence?
It is your responsibility as the fish farm operator to determine whether you need to apply for an EPS licence. However, given current scientific advice, it is likely that an EPS licence will be required for all currently available ADDs unless you can demonstrate that the device(s) operating at your site will not cause disturbance to cetaceans.
 
How are Marine Scotland and NatureScot defining ‘disturbance’ in the context of the legislation?
Disturbance is not defined in the Habitats Regulations, EU law or case law. However, given current scientific advice, it is likely that all currently available ADDs could cause disturbance to cetaceans at the individual level.
 
Proximity of cetaceans to fish farms and maintaining conservation status Cetaceans are transient and are found throughout Scottish waters, as indicated by the recent report commissioned by Marine Scotland: Regional baselines for marine mammal knowledge across the North Sea and Atlantic areas of Scottish waters. Consideration of the maps provided for harbour porpoise alone (S3.3.3), for example, illustrates the prevalence of this species in all coastal waters likely to be relevant to fish farming.
 
If a fish farm operator considers that cetaceans are not present in the ensonified area, this must be based on sufficient and robust evidence. If this were the conclusion, then an EPS licence application would not be required.
 
Is it possible to scope out harbour porpoise / EPS at the risk assessment stage based on existing data, for example, in areas with no/low activity?
It is unlikely to be appropriate to scope out harbour porpoise from consideration in EPS licensing in certain areas unless robust evidence is available that they are not present in the area for the same reasons as above. Similarly, if an applicant considers that their proposed device will not disturb harbour porpoise, sufficient robust evidence must be available to support this conclusion.
 
Will the proposed use of ADDs which operate at sound levels and frequencies which do not overlap with cetacean hearing ranges require an EPS licence? Will sound propagation modelling be required in support of an application and if so, what should be modelled, i.e. what thresholds should be used?
 
If, for example, by virtue of the sound levels and frequencies at which they operate, it can be shown that acoustic deterrents (or related systems) cannot disturb cetaceans, then an EPS licence is not required. However, MS-LOT would expect applicants to provide robust evidence to validate this claim. In practice, the hearing ranges of seals and cetaceans overlap, so there may be limited scope for identification of deterrents to which only seals are sensitive.
 
NOTE: No EPS licences have yet been issued for the use of ADDs on fish farms in Scotland.
 
 
 
 
 
 
Inside Scottish Salmon Feedlots posted on Facebook this morning (29 June 2021):
 
 
ISSF ADDs June 2021 #2
 
 
 
ISSF ADDs June 2021 #3
 
 
ISSF ADDs June 2021 #5
 
ISSF ADDs June 2021 #6
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
Inside Scottish Salmon Feedlots published a table detailing salmon farms still using ADDs (all operated by the Norwegian/Faroese-owned 'Scottish' Salmon Company):
 
 
ISSF ADDs June 2021 #7

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted at 06:44 AM |

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06/25/2021

'Organic' Salmon Fit for the Queen? Not Even Fit for Her Dogs!

 



 

 

Inside Scottish Salmon Feedlots reported (21 June 2021):

 

OSH royal blog June 2021 #1

OSH royal blog June 2021 #2

OSH royal blog June 2021 #3

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported (18 June 2021):

 

OSH royal blog June 2021 #4

 

OSH royal blog June 2021 #5

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported yesterday (24 June 2021) that 'Organic' Sea Harvest's Invertote salmon farm was being choked by a toxic blue-green algal bloom.

 

 

 

 

 

In March 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch published photos from 'Organic' Sea Harvest's salmon farm at Culnacnoc.

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch revealed in March 2021 that 'Organic' Sea Harvest had reported disease and mass mortality problems at their Soil Association certified organic salmon farming operations (including 11,671 morts in one week in July/August 2020). 

 

 

 

 

Here's 'Case Information' published by the Scottish Government's Fish Health Inspectorate relating to an inspection of 'Organic' Sea Harvest's Invertote salmon farm in November 2020:

 

FHI Nov 2020 Invertote

 

 

AGD is Amoebic Gill Disease and PGD is Proliferative Gill Disease (read more via "Gill Diseases: Scottish Salmon's Dirty Big Secret" and "Photo Dossier of Diseased, Deformed & Abused Scottish Salmon").   Alphamax is the trade name for the toxic chemical Deltamethrin - shown by peer-reviewed science to be lethal to shellfish and labelled by the chemical manufacturer as a 'Marine Pollutant'.    An article - "The impact of anti-sea lice pesticides, azamethiphos and deltamethrin, on European lobster (Homarus gammarus) larvae in the Norwegian marine environment" - published in scientific journal Environmental Pollution in September 2020 reported:

 

Parsons paper 2020 #1

Parsons paper 2020 #3


Parsons paper 2020 #3

 

 

 

 

 

It beggars belief that salmon doused in toxic chemicals and ridden with infectious diseases can be marketed as 'organic' and certified by the Soil Association. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In November 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch revealed that 'Organic' Sea Harvest was owned by investors in the Netherlands, Canada and Norway.

 

 

 

 

Scottish salmon is a sham, scam and a consumer con.  Please join Skye's Katie Tunn in taking the pledge against farmed salmon!

 

 

 

 

Last month, Scottish Salmon Watch visited Skye in the hope of finding out more about 'Organic' Sea Harvest. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are an extreme paddler and wish to inspect 'Organic' Sea Harvest please contact me via [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted at 12:30 PM |

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Canadian field trials of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid on salmon farms?

 



 

Scottish Salmon Watch is pressing the Canadian Government for answers on whether secret trials of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (marketed by the Norwegian-owned company Benchmark as Ectosan in 2017 and re-named BMK08 in 2019 and as D-10 Aquatic Blast by Salmo Pharma and Canadian company Aquaculture Veterinary Services International since 2014) have been carried out on salmon farms in Canada. 

 

 

 

 

A Freedom of Information disclosure by the Norwegian Environment Agency on 24 June 2021 included correspondence with Environment Canada:

 

Norwegian Medicines Agency FOI reply on Imidacloprid 24 June 2021 #4

Norwegian Medicines Agency FOI reply on Imidacloprid 24 June 2021 #2 Norwegian Medicines Agency FOI reply on Imidacloprid 24 June 2021 #3

Canadian Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #1

Canadian Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #2

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch filed a FOI request with Health Canada and Environment Canada on 16 June 2021:

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Sent: 2021-06-16 1:21 AM
To: [email protected]; [email protected]
Subject: Imidacloprid use in Canadian salmon farming?

I was just reading Health Canada's recent decision on Imidacloprid: https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/news/2021/05/backgrounder-re-evaluation-decision-for-imidacloprid-human-health-and-environment.html

Do you have information on the use of Imidacloprid (marketed as D10-Aquatic Blast, Ectosan and BMK08) in salmon farming in Canada?

As background, Imidacloprid was first pitched by Terry Drost in 2014 as D10-Aquatic Blast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eh-3pMRT0Z4

There was also a US patent filed in 2014: https://patents.google.com/patent/US20170135956A1/en

A patent was filed in Canada (CA3045239A1) in December 2017 (published in June 2018 & described as a 'National Entry' in May 2019).  Read more via Patent lifts lid on neonicotinoid use in salmon farming

Terry Drost was described in 2018 as the COO of New Wave Pharmaceuticals in New Brunswick: https://salmonbusiness.com/land-based-production-isnt-the-solution-to-the-sea-lice-problem/

New Wave Pharmaceuticals appear to be based in Fredericton: https://www.f6s.com/newwavepharmaceuticals

An article in Fish Farmer magazine in February 2020 (BMK08 is Imidacloprid) cited Canada: https://www.pressreader.com/uk/fish-farmer/20200211/282488595733006

There's more details on Imidacloprid use in salmon farming via:

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

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

Horrible History: Imidacloprid Use in Salmon Farming 

Backgrounder: "Imidacloprid - A Neonicotinoid Insecticide Toxic to Aquatic Life"

Has Imidacloprid already been trialled in Canada as it has in Norway?

Has Health Canada or any other Canadian Government agency conducted any environmental risk assessments into the use of Imidacloprid on salmon farms in Canada?

Please consider this a formal FOI request or deal with informally.

Scottish Salmon Watch filed a FOI with the Norwegian Government yesterday with respect to Imidacloprid use on salmon farms in Norway (read FOI in full online here).

We revealed last month and last year that companies such as Mowi (who operate in Canada) were lobbying the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for the use of Imidacloprid in Scottish waters:

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!

Secret Trials: 'Royal' Salmon Doused with Bee-Killing Insecticide Imidacloprid?

Revealed: Toxic Neonicotinoid Insecticide Used to 'CleanTreat' Lousy Salmon

Suffice to say that the use of a banned neonicotinoid in salmon farming raises serious alarm bells:

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

New Science Dogs Approval of Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid for Scottish Salmon!

British Wildlife: "Neonics in Salmon Farming - Alarm Bells Are Ringing"

Further Scientific Opposition to Imidacloprid Use in Salmon Farming 

Scientific Opposition to Neonicotinoid Use in Salmon Farming

Best fishes,

Don Staniford

Director, Scottish Salmon Watch

 

 

Here's a non-reply from Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency:

 

From: PMRA Info / ARLA (HC/SC) <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, Jun 23, 2021 at 8:21 PM
Subject: From PMRA-Currently Registered Pesticides for Control of Sea Lice in Salmon-NOT Imidacloprid
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Cc: Info SC, HC Info (HC/SC) <[email protected]>

Hello Don,

Your email was forwarded to me. I am writing to you from the Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA), the branch of Health Canada responsible for the registration and regulation of pesticides in Canada.

All products designed to manage, destroy, attract or repel pests that are used, sold or imported into Canada are regulated by the PMRA. These include chemicals, devices, and even organisms, and are referred to collectively as pest control products, or simply 'pesticides.' The term ‘pesticides’ refers to a multitude of pest control methods that include herbicides for weed control, fungicides for the control of plant diseases, insecticides and repellents to control insects, rodenticides to control rodents, electronic devices to control insects or rodents, sanitation products to control bacteria and viruses in pools and spas, special preservatives for wood, structural materials and other products, biochemicals and non-conventional products.

Before a pesticide is registered for use or sale in Canada, it must undergo a rigorous scientific assessment process which provides reasonable certainty that no harm, including chronic effects such as cancer, will occur when pesticides are used according to label directions. The registration of a new pesticide is a multi-year process that involves an applicant (usually a pesticide manufacturer) submitting an application to register and scientific data (DACO tables) to support the registration of its pesticide to the PMRA. During the application process, results from more than 200 types of scientific studies must be submitted to the PMRA who will determine if the pesticide would cause any negative effects to people, animals, birds, insects, plants, as well as on the soil and in the water. Special consideration is given to sensitive sub-groups, such as pregnant and nursing women, infants, children and seniors. PMRA scientists then assess this data to ensure that health, environmental and other standards are met. They examine the entire data package, identify any risks to human health or the environment, and evaluate the effectiveness of the pesticide. This process typically takes 12 to 18 months and represents the majority of time spent on a submission. The process may take longer if the PMRA requires additional studies to be conducted in order to better understand the potential health or environmental impact of a pesticide.


Staff at the PMRA are responsible for administering the Pest Control Products Act (PCPA) on behalf of the Minister of Health. Registration under the PCPA requires a thorough scientific evaluation to determine that new pesticides are acceptable for a specific use and that registered pesticides remain acceptable for use once on the market. If Canadians choose to use pesticides, they can only use a pesticide registered by the federal government for the pests and treatment areas listed on the label, and use them according to the label directions.

There are currently three registered pesticides for the control of sea lice in salmon:

INTEROX PARAMOVE 50 (Reg. No. 31393) which contains hydrogen peroxide;

AQUAPAROX 50 (Reg. No. 32401) which contains hydrogen peroxide; and

SALMOSAN VET (Reg. No. 32506) which contains azamethiphos as its active ingredient.

Their product labels can be viewed by accessing the PMRA’s Pesticide Label Database:

https://pr-rp.hc-sc.gc.ca/ls-re/index-eng.php

Imidacloprid is not registered for the control of sea lice in salmon in Canada.

I trust this information is helpful.

Robert Martin

Regulatory Information Officer

Pest Management Regulatory Agency

Health Canada / Government of Canada

[email protected]

1-800-267-6315

613-736-3799

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch replied:

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, Jun 24, 2021 at 6:32 AM
Subject: Re: From PMRA-Currently Registered Pesticides for Control of Sea Lice in Salmon-NOT Imidacloprid
To: PMRA Info / ARLA (HC/SC) <[email protected]>
Cc: Info SC, HC Info (HC/SC) <[email protected]>

Thanks - but has an application for Imidacloprid been submitted for use in Canada?

In the UK, the Veterinary Medicines Directorate told Scottish Salmon Watch that they received an approach to use Imidacloprid in 2017.

In Norway, clinical trials of D-10 Aquatic Blast (imidacloprid) have taken place since 2017 with field trials of Ectosan/BMK08 (Imidacloprid) also taking place since 2017.  Details via: Anyone for Norwegian Salmon Marinaded in the Banned Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (don't worry it's ASC-approved)?!

Could you please therefore answer the questions; namely:

Has Imidacloprid already been trialled in Canada as it has in Norway?

Has Health Canada or any other Canadian Government agency conducted any environmental risk assessments into the use of Imidacloprid on salmon farms in Canada?

Thanks,

Don

 

 

 

Earlier this month (18 June 2021), the Chilean newspaper Interferencia revealed that Benchmark (owned by billionaire Johan Andresen via Ferd - a Norway company which made their money via tobacco) wanted to use the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in Chile. 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch also reported last week (17 June 2021) on how the Norwegian Government's Directorate of Fisheries had supported clinical field trials of D-10 Aquatic Blast (Imidacloprid) at two salmon farms in Norway.  FOI requests filed with various Norwegian Government agencies and salmon farming companies (who are subject to the Environmental Information Act in Norway) cited an email from a Member of the Scottish Parliament (the sender's name was redacted but it is understood to be sent by Fergus Ewing who is seen bullying/lobbying for the use of Imidacloprid in Scottish waters):

 

image.png

 

 

The Ferret reported last month (21 May 2021):

 

 

 

 

 

The Guardian reported (27 May 2021):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch revealed in May 2020 that Mowi (the world's largest salmon farming company who operate in Scotland, Chile, the Faroes, Norway as well as Canada) had lobbied the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to support a field trial of Ectosan (Imidacloprid) in Loch Ailort.

 

 

 

 

A 'Interpretation Request' filed by Mowi Norway to the Aquaculture Stewardship Council in February 2019 for the use of Ectosan (Imidacloprid) triggered the public revelation  - and subsequent public admission by Benchmark - in March 2020 that BMK08/Ectosan was Imidacloprid. 

 

 

 

 

 

Back in 2014, Canadian-based New Wave Agriculture Solutions issued a You Tube pitch to advance the use of D-10 Aquatic Blast (Imidacloprid) for use on salmon farms.

 

 

 

 

Terrence Drost and John O'Halloran filed a US Patent for the use of a neonicotinoid (named as Imidacloprid) in salmon farming in June 2014:

 

Patent Drost

 

 

 

The patent lists the agents as located in Toronto:

 

Patent Drost #2

 

 

A 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 #1

Imidacloprid Canadian Patent CA3045239A1 #2

Imidacloprid Canadian Patent CA3045239A1 #3

Imidacloprid Canadian Patent CA3045239A1 #4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Addendum:

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Jun 25, 2021 at 10:53 AM
Subject: Re: From PMRA-Currently Registered Pesticides for Control of Sea Lice in Salmon-NOT Imidacloprid
To: PMRA Info / ARLA (HC/SC) <[email protected]>
Cc: Info SC, HC Info (HC/SC) <[email protected]>
 
Please note emails obtained via FOI from the Norwegian Environment Agency yesterday (24 June 2021):
 
 
 
 
 
Health Canada may find emails and other correspondence on Imidacloprid (Ectosan/D-10 Aquatic Blast/BMK08) via a search of your records. 
 
Thanks,
 
Don
 
 
 
 
From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Jun 25, 2021 at 11:04 AM
Subject: FOI re: Imidacloprid use in Canadian salmon farming?
To: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>

Further to Scottish Salmon Watch's FOI request dated 16 June 2021 (re-enclosed below), please note emails obtained via FOI from the Norwegian Environment Agency yesterday (24 June 2021):
 
 
 
 
 
Environment Canada may find further emails, other correspondence and other information on Imidacloprid (Ectosan/D-10 Aquatic Blast/BMK08) via a search of your records.
 
Please provide the information requested on Imidacloprid use on salmon farms in Canada; namely:
 
Has Imidacloprid already been trialled in Canada as it has in Norway?
 
Has Health Canada or any other Canadian Government agency conducted any environmental risk assessments into the use of Imidacloprid on salmon farms in Canada?
 
As part of Environment Canada's FOI reply, please provide details of any trials and any environmental information including any correspondence with Benchmark, Aquaculture Veterinary Services International, Mowi, Cermaq, Cooke, Grieg, Salmo Pharma, Creative Salmon and any other companies relating to the use of Imidacloprid on salmon farms in Canada.  
 
Thanks,
 
Don Staniford
 
Director, Scottish Salmon Watch

Posted at 10:52 AM |

|

Norwegian Environment Agency FOI reply lifts lid on banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid

 



 

Following a Freedom of Information request to the Norwegian Government (16 June 2021), here's a reply from the Norwegian Environment Agency dated 24 June 2021:

 

From: Inger Marie Haaland <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, Jun 24, 2021 at 2:12 PM
Subject: Sv: FOI re. Benchmark's CleanTreat & Ectosan/BMK08/Imidacloprid since 1 January 2016 (Innsynsrett & Miljøinformasjonsloven)
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Cc: Innsyn <[email protected]>

Dear Mr. Staniford

We refer to your request regarding documents related to Benchmark and Ectosan, sent June the 16th.

The Norwegian Environment Agency has not been in contact with Benchmark. We have not received an application or made any decisions according to the environmental law for Benchmark and the use of Ectosan. 

Benchmarks and Ectosan has been mentioned in email correspondence between the Norwegian Environment Agency and the Norwegian Food Safety Authority (Mattilsynet), the Norwegian Medicines Agency (Statens legemiddelverk), the County governor in Vestland and Environment and Climate Change Canada. These emails are included. Some of the information in these emails are restricted and are therefore censored (Censored text is marked). Restricted information regarding Ectosans active ingredient, the Celantreat technology and testing in Norway is described by the media and is therefore not censored (Cleantreat, Uttesting av nytt lusemiddel skaper støy i UK - FFE-redaktør intervjuet på BBC - Kyst.no,  Vellykkede storskala feltforsøk med nytt lusemiddel - Kyst.no)

The collaboration group on delousing pharmaceuticals decided in their meeting on October the 25th 2018 to schedule a meeting with Benchmark early in 2019. However, no meeting with Benchmark was held. (Members of the collaboration group were the Directorate of Fisheries, the Norwegian Food Safety Authority and the Norwegian Environment Agency. The group was shut down in 2019).

Regards
Inger Marie Haaland
Senior Adviser, Marine management and industries

 

Norwegian Environment Agency

Phone: +47 73 58 05 00
E-mail: [email protected]

www.environmentagency.no - www.environment.no

 

 

 

The FOI disclosure by the Norwegian Environment Agency on 24 June 2021 included:

 

Norwegian Medicines Agency FOI reply on Imidacloprid 24 June 2021 #4

 

Norwegian Medicines Agency FOI reply on Imidacloprid 24 June 2021 #2 Norwegian Medicines Agency FOI reply on Imidacloprid 24 June 2021 #3

 

Canadian Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #1

Canadian Imidacloprid blog June 2021 #2

 

Norwegian Medicines Agency FOI reply on Imidacloprid 24 June 2021 #1 Mattilsynet saying it is Imidacloprid in April 2019

 

 

Leroy email from Benchmark Sept 2018

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's Scottish Salmon Watch's FOI request filed on 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

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Norwegian Medicines Agency replied (25 June 2021):

 

From: Tonje Høy <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Jun 25, 2021 at 1:57 PM
Subject: Imidacloprid
To: Don Staniford <[email protected]>

To Mr. Don Staniford,

We refer to your e-mails of June 15th and June 17th  2021 requesting information regarding imidacloprid in Norwegian aquaculture.

No marketing authorisation for any veterinary medicinal product containing imidacloprid, and intended for treatment of sea lice infestations, has been granted in Norway.

The only legal use of the substance for sea lice treatment would therefore be in clinical trials. As previously stated, information on clinical trials cannot be disclosed as such information is considered business sensitive and therefore exempt from public disclosure.

With regard to purification/cleansing systems, the NoMA is not the competent authority for approval of such methods/systems.

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

 

 

 

Read more via:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Addendum:

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, Jun 25, 2021 at 9:34 AM
Subject: Imidacloprid use on salmon farms in Norway?
To: Christine Børnes <[email protected]>
Cc: Inger Marie Haaland <[email protected]>
 
Christine,
 
I don't speak Norwegian but this email (obtained from the Norwegian Environment Agency via FOI) seems to suggest that you knew that Ectosan (BMK08) was the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid back in April 2019.
 
image.png
 
 
 
Do you know which salmon farms in Norway have used Imidacloprid?
 
Takk,
 
Don
 
 
 

From: Line Ruden <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, Jul 1, 2021 at 1:55 PM
Subject: RE: FOI re. Benchmark's CleanTreat & Ectosan/BMK08/Imidacloprid since 1 January 2016 (Innsynsrett & Miljøinformasjonsloven)
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>

Dear Don Staniford,

Thank you for your request for information. Most of your questions fall however under The Norwegian Medicines Agency’s administrative area.

We do not have any documentation relating to the use of imidacloprid. Environmental risk assessment, residue studies, ecological surveys, benthic impact research, water quality testing and other environmental impact information belong to The Norwegian Medicines Agency’s area of responsibility. It is also them that approves the clinical trials. We have not had any discussions with the European Medicines Agency, the Scottish Government, Benchmark, Mowi or other salmon farming companies in relation to the use of CleanTreat and imidacloprid.

However, we do have a proposal for consultation with regard to imidacloprid. We propose a change in the legislation regulating the maximum residue limit in foodstuffs of animal origin, with regard to imidacloprid. You can view the proposal at our web page: Endringer i forskrift om grenseverdier for legemiddelrester i næringsmidler fra dyr (MRL-forskriften) | Mattilsynet. The Commission implementing regulation is in English.

Best regards,

Line Ruden

Senior Adviser/Toxicologist

Norwegian Food Safety Authority, Regulations and Control Department, Fish health and welfare

Tel: +47 22 77 85 87

Location: Stensberggata 27, Oslo

Address: Head Office, Felles postmottak, P.O.Box 383, N-2381 Brumunddal

[email protected]

www.mattilsynet.no www.matportalen.no

 

Posted at 10:11 AM |

|

06/24/2021

Harmful Algal Blooms & Toxic Salmon Farms - Is Scottish Salmon Unfit for Human Consumption?

HAB blog June 2021 photo

 



 

Is a toxic blue-green algae bloom making Scottish salmon unfit for human consumption?  And are the untreated waste effluents from salmon farms in Scotland contributing to harmful algal blooms (HABs)?   These questions are now being asked in the wake of photo of a toxic blue-green algae bloom surrounding a salmon farm operated by 'Organic' Sea Harvest at Invertote near Staffin on the Isle of Skye.

 

HAB blog June 2021 photo closer

 

 

The photo was posted last week in the private Facebook group 'Official Isle of Skye' (generating discussion amongst their 17,700 members).

 

HAB blog June 2021 photo closer Facebook post #5

 

HAB blog June 2021 photo closer Facebook post

HAB blog June 2021 photo closer Facebook post #2

HAB blog June 2021 photo closer Facebook post #3

 

HAB blog June 2021 photo closer Facebook post #4

 

 

The link between HABs and fish farming has long been established.   UPI reported (8 June 2021):

 

HAB blog June 2021 #13

 



 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported (15 June 2021):

 

 

 

 

The Oban Times reported (14 June 2021):

 

HAB blog June 2021 #34

HAB blog June 2021 #35

 

 

The Herald reported (10 June 2021):

 

HAB blog June 2021 #1

 

 

Hebrides News reported (9 June 2021):

 

HAB blog June 2021 #2

HAB blog June 2021 #3

 

UNESCO reported (9 June 2021):

 

HAB blog June 2021 #10

HAB blog June 2021 #11

 

 

 

 

 

Nature reported (8 June 2021):

 

HAB blog June 2021 #12

 

 

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported in April 2021:

 

HAB blog June 2021 #4

HAB blog June 2021 #5

HAB blog June 2021 #6

 

 

The Shetland Times reported in July 2020:

 

HAB blog June 2021 #36

 

HAB blog June 2021 #37

HAB blog June 2021 #38

HAB blog June 2021 #39

HAB blog June 2021 #40

 

 

Highland Council and NHS Scotland advised in June 2020 that fish caught in waters affected by blue-green algae "should not be eaten":

 

HAB blog June 2021 #7 HAB blog June 2021 #8

 

The press release links to this Scottish Government report:

 

HAB blog June 2021 #9

 

 

The waste impacts of salmon farms - and the links with eutrophication and algal blooms - has long been investigated in Scotland.   A report by the Scottish Association of Marine Science submitted to the Scottish Parliament's salmon farming inquiry in January 2018 addressed the issue of waste pollution from salmon farms.

 

HAB blog June 2021 #21

HAB blog June 2021 #22

 

HAB blog June 2021 #23

 

HAB blog June 2021 #24

 

HAB blog June 2021 #25

 

 

The Herald reported in March 2018:

 

HAB blog June 2021 #43

HAB blog June 2021 #44

 

 

Ecohustler reported in September 2020:

 

HAB blog June 2021 #29

 

 

HAB blog June 2021 #30

 

HAB blog June 2021 #31

HAB blog June 2021 #32

 

 

WWF Scotland reported in 2000.

 

HAB blog June 2021 #26

 

HAB blog June 2021 #27

HAB blog June 2021 #28

 

In 2001, an EU-funded project called 'AQUATOXSAL' investigated the links between salmon farming and toxic algal blooms.

 

HAB blog June 2021 #41

HAB blog June 2021 #42

 

 

Back in 2002 I presented a paper - "A Big Fish in a Small Pond" - detailing links between waste discharges of salmon farms and pollution.

 

HAB blog June 2021 #15

HAB blog June 2021 #16

HAB blog June 2021 #17

HAB blog June 2021 #18

HAB blog June 2021 #19

HAB blog June 2021 #20

 

 

Marine Pollution Bulletin reported in 1989:

 

HAB blog June 2021 #14

 

A report published by the Scottish Government in 2003 stated:

 

"In our opinion, it is very unlikely that fish farming should have a large-scale impact on the occurrence of harmful algal blooms, particularly on toxic algae, which are related to shellfish poisoning. Occurrence of such blooms, in general, appears to indicate that they are more common in pristine than in enriched waters and that they appear independently of fish farming activities. This does not mean that fish farming is a completely harmless activity: there is a coupling between excess nutrient loads and larger plankton production. In enclosed fjords, fish farming may contribute considerably to hypernutrification and changing nutrient ratios, particularly during summer."

 

HAB blog June 2021 #33

 

 

 

Read more via "Holes: Scottish Salmon's Sewage Scandal" by Dr James Merryweather:

 

Holes #2

 

Posted at 11:29 AM |

|

Result - Applecross Smokehouse deletes "sustainable fisheries" claim following complaint!

 



 

Following yesterday's blog, video, Tweet and Facebook post complaining about misleading marketing of their farmed salmon, Applecross Smokehouse have altered the claims on their web-site.  The web-page for Smoked Salmon now reads:

 

Applecross Smokehouse web-site change 24 June 2021

 

 

 

Yesterday (23 June 2021) it read:

 

Applecross Smokehouse web-site change 24 June 2021 #2

 

 

Applecross Smokehouse still claim on the front of their web-site that their products are from "sustainable sources".

 

Applecross Smokehouse web-site change 24 June 2021 #3

 

 

 

Applecross Smokehouse deleted this Facebook post from yesterday (23 June 2021):

 

Applecross Smokehouse blog June 2021 #5 Facebook post

 

 

 

We posted this earlier today (24 June 2021) on Applecross Smokehouse's Facebook page: 

 

Applecross Smokehouse blog June 2021 #6 Facebook post #2

 

 

Read more via: RSPCA Assured Scottish Scamon from Applecross Smokehouse - Another Case of Deceptive Marketing for Trading Standards!

 

 

 

 

 

 

In April 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch scored a victory against Rick Stein for misleading marketing. 

 

 

 

 

 

In April 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch also filed a complaint with Trading Standards against Belhaven Smokehouse in East Lothian for misleading marketing and deceptive advertising regarding their 'quality salmon' sourced "from the wild waters of Shetland". 

 

 

 

 

 

Belhaven Smokehouse immediately corrected their web-site.

 

 

 

 

In April 2019, salmon farming company Loch Duart was forced to drop the word 'Sustainable' from their marketing materials after a ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority.

 

Ferret 5 April 2019 #1

 

 

 

In March 2021, a class action lawsuit in the United States has resulted in salmon farming giant Mowi (Scotland's largest salmon farming company) not being permitted to use the phrase "sustainably sourced" in their marketing.

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via 'Scottish Scamon'.

 

Belhaven blog 29 April 2021 #7

 

Scottish Scamon poster with film strip low res

 

Scamon Noir poster with Gustav

 

 

More news via:

Trading Standards Victory: "Our salmon is farm reared" admit Belhaven Smokehouse after complaint!

Complaint re. 'Wild' Shetland Salmon Filed with Trading Standards in East Lothian

Bullshit Called On 'Boutique' Farmed Salmon from the Faroes - Rick Stein Deletes "Boutique" & "Truly Stunning" Claims from Web-Site!

Daily Mail: "Caught out! Rick Stein's online shop is forced to clarify 'misleading' claim that its salmon is from English river - when it was actually from the Faroe Islands"

BBC News: "Rick Stein's shop changes description of smoked salmon after complaint"

Victory: Rick Stein Forced to Advertise Faroese Farmed Salmon After Trading Standards Investigation

Beware Scottish Salmon's Online Scam!

Rick Stein's smoked salmon scam - a fishy case of deceptive advertising & misleading marketing?

Posted at 08:02 AM |

|

06/23/2021

RSPCA Assured Scottish Scamon from Applecross Smokehouse - Another Case of Deceptive Marketing for Trading Standards!

 



 



 

Applecross Smokehouse blog June 2021 #5 Facebook post

 

 

 

Applecross Smokehouse is deceiving customers with their false claims of "sustainable" salmon. 

 

Applecross Smokehouse blog June 2021 #3

 

 

Applecross Smokehouse's web-site claims that "Our Scottish Salmon is sourced from sustainable fisheries in the Scottish Highlands and is RSPCA Assured":

 

Applecross Smokehouse blog June 2021 #1

Applecross

 

 

 

Applecross Smokehouse's web-site claims: "RSPCA Assured, (previously Freedom Food), is the RSPCA’s ethical food label dedicated to farmed animal welfare.  Their vision is for all farmed animals to have a good life and to be treated with compassion and respect".

 

 



 

 

Compassion in World Farming certainly take issue with the RSPCA's vision of "compassion and respect" shown by RSPCA Assured salmon farms.  Here's video footage of RSPCA Assured salmon farms published by Compassion in World Farming and OneKind in March 2021.

 



 

Here's photos of RSPCA Assured Scottish salmon showing a painfully abject lack of compassion and respect.

 

RSPCA Tweet #7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video footage of RSPCA Assured Mowi salmon features in Netflix's global hit 'Seaspiracy'.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's video footage of Mowi's RSPCA Assured salmon farm in Loch Greshornish.

 

 

 

 

In February 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to the RSPCA asking them to stop certifiying 'welfare friendly' farmed salmon.

 

 

 

 

 

In May 2021, video footage shot by Scottish Salmon Watch at an RSPCA Assured salmon farm in Loch Spelve led to the withdrawal of RSPCA certification. 

 

 

 

In April 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch scored a victory against Rick Stein for misleading marketing. 

 

 

 

BBC News reported (15 April 2021):

 

BBC Rick Stein 15 April 2021

BBC Rick Stein 15 April 2021 #2

BBC Rick Stein 15 April 2021 #3

BBC Rick Stein 15 April 2021 #4

BBC Rick Stein 15 April 2021 #5

 

 

In April 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch also filed a complaint with Trading Standards against Belhaven Smokehouse in East Lothian for misleading marketing and deceptive advertising regarding their 'quality salmon' sourced "from the wild waters of Shetland". 

 

 

 

 

 

In April 2019, salmon farming company Loch Duart was forced to drop the word 'Sustainable' from their marketing materials after a ruling from the Advertising Standards Authority.

 

 

Ferret 5 April 2019 #1

 

 

 

 

 

In March 2021, a class action lawsuit in the United States has resulted in salmon farming giant Mowi (Scotland's largest salmon farming company) not being permitted to use the phrase "sustainably sourced" in their marketing.

 

 

 

 

Intrafish reported (18 March 2021):

 

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #4

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #5

 

 

Intrafish's Drew Cherry wrote (18 March 2021):

 

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #12

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #13

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #14

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #15

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via 'Scottish Scamon'.

 

Belhaven blog 29 April 2021 #7

Scottish Scamon poster with film strip low res

 

Scamon Noir poster with Gustav

 

More news via:

Complaint re. 'Wild' Shetland Salmon Filed with Trading Standards in East Lothian

Bullshit Called On 'Boutique' Farmed Salmon from the Faroes - Rick Stein Deletes "Boutique" & "Truly Stunning" Claims from Web-Site!

Daily Mail: "Caught out! Rick Stein's online shop is forced to clarify 'misleading' claim that its salmon is from English river - when it was actually from the Faroe Islands"

BBC News: "Rick Stein's shop changes description of smoked salmon after complaint"

Victory: Rick Stein Forced to Advertise Faroese Farmed Salmon After Trading Standards Investigation

Beware Scottish Salmon's Online Scam!

Rick Stein's smoked salmon scam - a fishy case of deceptive advertising & misleading marketing?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Appendix:

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Wed, Jun 23, 2021 at 11:25 AM
Subject: Breach of Trading Standards
To: <[email protected]>
 
The Applecross Smokehouse web-site claims that your farmed salmon is from "sustainable sources" and that your Smoked salmon is "is sourced from sustainable fisheries".
 
Surely this is a misleading consumer claim and a case for Trading Standards?
 
 
Where is your 'sustainable' Scottish salmon sourced from?
 
Thanks,
 
Don Staniford
 
Director, Scottish Salmon Watch

Posted at 10:54 AM |

|

Mowi's Salmafia Rake in the Salmoney (the polluter gets paid principle in action)

 



 

Fish Farming Expert reported (22 June 2021):

 

Share options June 2021 #1

 

Share options June 2021 #2

 

 

 

 

Intrafish reported (25 March 2021):

 

Intrafish 25 March 2021 #1

Intrafish 25 March 2021 #2

Intrafish 25 March 2021 #3

 

 

Mowi seems to have money to burn.   The National Law Review reported (21 March 2021):

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #1

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #2

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #3

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported (19 March 2021):

 

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #10

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #11

 

 

Intrafish's Drew Cherry wrote (18 March 2021):

 

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #12

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #13

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #14

Ducktrap settlement blog March 2021 #15

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mowi's boss in Scotland, Ben Hadfield, is raking the money in faster than Mowi can discharge toxic chemicals, allow mass escapes, spill diseased salmon on the road and dispose of a mountain of mortalities. 

 

 

 

 

 

Grab some Mowi salmon next time you're in Sainsbury's.

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via:

Mowi's Million Dollar Man Testifies to Scottish Parliament

 

 

 

Posted at 09:58 AM |

|

06/21/2021

Interferencia: "Salmon Farming - Norwegian company seeks to commercialize in Chile a pesticide banned by the EU for being 'very toxic' to aquatic life"

 

 

 

The Chilean newspaper Interferencia reported (18 June 2021):

 

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 #1

 

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 #2

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 #3

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 #4

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 #5

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 #6

 

 

 

 

Here's a rough translation via Google:

 

CleanTreat: Salmon Farming

Norwegian company seeks to commercialize in Chile a pesticide banned by the EU for being "very toxic" for aquatic life

Diego Ortiz 06/18/2021

Benchmark came to the country in 2020 to commercialize CleanTreat, a system for treating sea lice in salmon that caused a scandal in Scotland.

Eight days ago, the European Parliament voted against the use of the pesticide imidacloprid in salmon farms, present in CleanTreat, as it has a “devastating” impact on biodiversity. In mid-2020, the medium specialized in the salmon industry, Salmon Expert, announced the arrival in Chile of the area specialized in animal treatments of Benchmark, a Norwegian company of genetic products. However, a year after its arrival, its main technological bet, its star product, CleanTreat -chemicals and water purification and filtration systems- has just suffered a serious blow.

On June 9, the European Parliament chose to vote against setting a maximum residue level for the substance imidacloprid, a pesticide used in CleanTreat's chemical BMK08. By 441 votes in favor and 232 against, the Chamber of the European Union decided to ban the use of the substance in salmon farms. Imidacloprid was listed by Parliament as "dangerous for the environment" and "very toxic to aquatic life, with long-term effects". (Check here the resolution of the European Parliament).

The resolution explains that "there is increasing evidence that the use of imidacloprid has devastating effects on biodiversity, particularly in rivers and waterways, affecting not only crustaceans, mollusks and non-target species (insects), but also also land organisms, in addition to causing a decline in bird populations. ”In addition, they add that its use in Japan“ caused a dramatic collapse of fish populations ”, one that has“ not yet recovered ”.

"The use of imidacloprid has devastating effects on biodiversity, particularly in rivers and waterways, affecting not only crustaceans, mollusks and non-target species (insects), but also land organisms, in addition to causing a decline in bird populations ”, says the European Parliament.

The use of imidacloprid had already been banned in agriculture by the European Union, since it destroys bee populations.

Marketing in Chile and scandal in Scotland

Europe's determination has no effect on the Chilean industry, and the pesticide may be approved in the country. That is Benchmark Animal Health Chile's plan, at least according to the interview given by its general manager, Javier Moya, to Salmon Expert on June 1, 2020, who has already begun to promote the product among salmon farms established in Chile.

"The simplification of the company will accelerate the delivery of much-needed solutions to the market, including its next-generation sea lice treatment, BMK08 and the new CleanTreat system," Moya told the specialized media.

INTERFERENCIA contacted Sernapesca to find out whether or not the use of imidacloprid in Chilean salmon farms has been approved. The entity referred the query to the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG), responsible for authorizing or prohibiting the use of these substances.

According to information published by the international Fish Farmer media, BMK08 - which includes the pesticide imidacloprid - is applied to salmon in conjunction with the CleanTreat system, which acts as a purifier removing chemical residues from the water. But any leak could be catastrophic for the ecosystem.

In an interview with the British medium The Guardian, the professor of biology at the University of Sussex, Dave Goulson, explained that the chemicals used in BMK08 "are like novichok but for insects", a nerve agent developed by the Soviet Union cataloged as of the most deadly. "It takes a billionth of a gram to harm aquatic life, so even the smallest traces would have a huge impact on marine life," he said. (Check here the article Banned pesticide accused of killing bees can be approved for fish farms from The Guardian).

Goulson's words were published in the context of a political scandal in Scotland - a salmon-producing country, but not a member of the EU after the UK's Brexit - by a previous article in the investigative outlet The Ferret. Through the publication of emails obtained by the Scottish transparency law, British journalists revealed that the director of the agency in charge of supervising the fisheries, Annabel Turpie, lobbied for the approval of CleanTreat and the use of imidacloprid.

Specifically, The Ferret revealed a series of emails obtained through a transparency law by environmentalist Don Staniford, where Annabel Turpie, director of Marine Scotland - the Scottish government agency in charge of fisheries - explains that “we will help collaborate with SEPA (Environmental Protection Agency Scotland) and MSS (Marine Scotland Science) in CleanTreat technology ”. (Check out The Ferret's research here).

The Scottish regulatory authority emails acknowledging helping CleanTeach mention that such technology will be taken to an existing location "for approval".

According to a later article in The Guardian, in the emails Turpie claims to be "aware that the intention is for CleanTreat to be presented in the second half of the year, assuming regulatory approval", with an "expectation" that Benchmark, the company Norway, which arrived in Chile in 2020 and manufacturer of CleanTreat, will take the system to an existing site “for approval”. Later, the director of Marine Scotland indicated that the company's technology would receive a “welcome consideration”.

In conversation with INTERFERENCIA, Don Staniford, director of the Scottish Salmon Watch organization and who obtained the Turpie emails, described the lobbying exercised by the Scottish government representative as "shameful". "The director of Marine Scotland was caught lobbying not for the marine environment, but for the use of a dangerous neonicotinoid for Scottish waters."

The director of Scottish Salmon Watch and author of the book Silent Spring of the Sea explained that "Norwegian companies have been found guilty of importing the deadly salmon anemia to Chile", so he hopes that the Chilean government "can strongly oppose the use of imidacloprid and send it back to Norway ”.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

La Izquierda reported (19 June 2021):

 

La Izquierda 19 June 2021 #1

 

La Izquierda 19 June 2021 #2

 

La Izquierda 19 June 2021 #3

La Izquierda 19 June 2021 #4

 



 

 

Here's an English translation of the Interferencia article:

 

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 English #1

 

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 English #2

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 English #3

 

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 English #4

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 English #5

Inteferencia Imidacloprid 18 June 2021 English #6

 

 

 

El Ciudadano reported (19 June 2021):

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch notified Scottish Ministers on the newspaper coverage in Chile:

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Jun 21, 2021 at 10:12 AM
Subject: "Shameful" Marine Scotland reports Chilean newspaper on use of banned neonicotinoid in Scottish salmon farming
To: <[email protected]>, Fergus Ewing <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, Gougeon M (Mairi), MSP <[email protected]>, MSP <[email protected]>, Forbes K (Kate), MSP <[email protected]>, MSP <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, Ruskell M (Mark), MSP <[email protected]>, Beamish C (Claudia), MSP <[email protected]>, EnvironmentClimateChangeandLandReformcommittee <[email protected]>, Mountain E (Edward), MSP <[email protected]>, Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee <[email protected]>, Ahearn, Terry <[email protected]>, Pollard, Peter <[email protected]>, Media <[email protected]>
 
Please note that the Chilean newspaper reported on Friday (18 June 2021) on the Scottish Government's support for the use of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid - dubbed 'Novichok for insects' - in salmon farming in Scotland:
 
 
The article in the newspaper Interferencia includes:
 
Annabel Turpie, directora de Marine Scotland – agencia gubernamental escocesa encargada de las pesqueras– explica que “ayudaremos a colaborar con SEPA (Agencia de Protección Ambiental de Escocia) y MSS (Marine Scotland Science) en la tecnología CleanTreat”.

Turpie asegura estar "consciente de que la intención es que CleanTreat se presente en la segunda mitad del año, asumiendo la aprobación regulatoria", habiendo una “expectativa” de que Benchmark, la empresa noruega que arribó a Chile en 2020 y fabricante de CleanTreat, llevara el sistema a un sitio existente “para su aprobación”. Más adelante, la directora de Marine Scotland indicó que la tecnología de la empresa recibiría una “bienvenida consideración”.

Turpie, catalogó de “vergonzoso” el lobby ejercido por la representante del gobierno escocés. “La directora de Marine Scotland fue sorprendida haciendo lobby no para el medioambiente marino, sino para el uso de un neonicotinoide peligroso para aguas escocesas”.

 

Rough English translation via Interferencia: "Salmon Farming - Norwegian company seeks to commercialize in Chile a pesticide banned by the EU for being 'very toxic' to aquatic life"

 

Scottish Salmon Watch also reported last week (17 June 2021) on how the Norwegian Government's Directorate of Fisheries had supported clinical field trials of D-10 Aquatic Blast (Imidacloprid) at two salmon farms in Norway.  FOI requests filed with various Norwegian Government agencies and salmon farming companies (who are subject to the Environmental Information Act in Norway) cited an email from a Member of the Scottish Parliament (the sender's name was redacted but it is understood to be sent by Fergus Ewing who is seen bullying/lobbying for the use of Imidacloprid in Scottish waters):

 

image.png

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

 

Best fishes,

 

Don

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Addendum:

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Tue, Jun 29, 2021 at 5:46 AM
Subject: Imidacloprid via Salmoclinic?
To: <[email protected]>
 
I was reading your web-site and the statement that Salmoclinic: "Opens possibility of registry of new high efficacy medicinal products against sea lice".
 
Will you be using Imidacloprid?
 
I just Tweeted:
 
 
 
You may also have read:
 
 
Muchas gracias,
 
Don

Posted at 06:53 AM |

|

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
 
 
 

 

 

Read more via:

 

 

 

 

 

Posted at 12:02 PM |

|

M&S "phase out" Lochmuir fake brand in favour of RSPCA Assured - out of the frying pan into the fire!

 



 

If you're still looking for Lochmuir salmon it's currently listed as "out of stock" on Marks & Spencer's web-site.

 

Lochmuir out of stock
 

 

 

 

 

It seems that high-end retailer M&S has finally reached the bottom of the barrel of any last remaining stocks of 'Lochmuir' salmon following pressure from campaign groups.   Feedback reported in December 2019:

 

M&S blog Lochmuir dropped May 2021 #1

M&S blog Lochmuir dropped May 2021 #2

 

 

M&S blog Lochmuir dropped May 2021 #3

 

 

 

 

Marks & Spencer Tweeted in December 2019 that "we’re phasing out the Lochmuir brand on all our salmon packs in favour of our Responsible Sourcing pledge to customers".

 

 

 

 

 

 

Judging by M&S's labelling of Scottish salmon in May 2021 - the Lochmuir branding has been removed completely in favour of RSPCA Assured - the phasing out of Lochmuir looks more or less complete.  

 

 

 

 

M&S's ad campaign in April 2021 failed to mention Lochmuir and instead focussed on the RSPCA Assured branding.

 

Lochmuir #21

 

 

 

 

It has been long-known that Lochmuir is a fictional place invented by M&S's marketing men.  The Mail On Sunday reported in February 2012:

 

Lochmuir #20

 

 

 

When Scottish Salmon Watch tried to find Lochmuir in June 2019 we struggled even with a map of Scotland.

 

 

 

 




It seems that Lochmuir salmon is now even more difficult to find with the phase out by M&S almost complete.  For example, Lochmuir salmon is listed as "currently unavailable" via Amazon online (as of 18 May 2021):

 

Lochmuir #1

 

 

 

M&S's 'Scottish Lochmuir Salmon Parcels' and 'Scottish Lochmuir Salmon Medallions' are currently "out of stock" too (as of 18 May 2021):

 

Lochmuir #4

 

Lochmuir #5

 

 

Shoppers in Guernsey can buy 'Scottish Lochmuir Salmon Fillets' although the name Lochmuir has been dropped from the packaging:

 

Lochmuir #2

 

 

 

Ocado's M&S Scottish salmon fillets currently in stock are stamped with the RSPCA Assured logo but the Lochmuir name is missing.

 

Lochmuir #6

 

 

When The Ferret reported on welfare problems at salmon farms in August 2018, the Lochmuir branding was prominently displayed on the label (as well as the name of the farm supplying M&S).

 

Lochmuir #7

 

 

When The Sun reported on M&S salmon in September 2019, Lochmuir was named on the front of packaging.

 

Lochmuir #8

 

 

When The Daily Mail featured fishy labelling in June 2013, Lochmuir was front and central of M&S's packaging.

 

Lochmuir #9

 

 

 

When The Daily Mail promoted M&S salmon as boosting people's sex lives and fertility in October 2016, 'Scottish Lochmuir' was prominent on the packaging.

 

Lochmuir #10

 

 

Lochmuir stood out when The Times tested a range of salmon products in November 2016.

 

Lochmuir #13

 

 

 

When The Guardian featured smoked salmon products in December 2015, Lochmuir was proudly named even if the pesky left-wing journalist pointed out that Lochmuir was not a place and was "a brand name invented by M&S".

 

Lochmuir #11

 

 

When Scottish Salmon Watch investigated the labelling of supermarket salmon in 2018 and 2019, the Lochmuir branding was still a key component of M&S's salmon.

 

Lochmuir #12

 

 



 

In 2016, M&S proudly featured the 10-year anniversary of Lochmuir salmon.

 

Lochmuir #14

 

 

In April 2018, M&S described Lochmuir as "iconic" in a written submission to the Scottish Parliament's salmon farming inquiry.

 

Lochmuir #3

 

 

When BBC Countryfile featured a salmon farm in Loch Creran supplying RSPCA Assured Lochmuir salmon to M&S in December 2020 the video footage did not scream out iconic.

 

BBC Countryfile 6 Dec 2020 #2

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Last month (11 May 2021), a video spoof from Ecohustler and a petition heaped the pressure on M&S. 

 

Lochmuir #23

 

 

 

 

 

Lochmuir #24

 

Here's the petition signed by nearly 80,000 people.

 

M&S petition

 

 

Ecohustler reported in April 2021:

 

Lochmuir #22

 

 

Lochmuir salmon has been controversial since it was launched in a blaze of bad publicity in 2006.  The Sunday Times reported in August 2006:

 

Lochmuir #15

 

 

The Scotsman reported in August 2006:

 

Lochmuir #16

Lochmuir #17

 

 

The Ferret reported in September 2015:

 

 

 

 

The Independent reported in September 2015:

 

Lochmuir #18

Lochmuir #19

 

 

 

 

 

The slow death of M&S's 'Lochmuir' salmon seems especially pertinent given that it was "pioneered" by Scottish Sea Farms (Norskott Havbruk) in Loch Spelve - where their manager Geoff Kidd was shortlisted for a BBC Food & Farming Award in 2010. 

 

Lochmuir #26

 

 

 

Loch Spelve is the scene of shocking video footage in May 2021 detailing welfare abuse and mass mortalities at RSPCA Assured Scottish Sea Farms (Norskott Havbruk). 

 

 

 

 

The Herald On Sunday reported last month that RSPCA Assured had suspended the M&S supplier (16 May 2021).

 

 

 

 

 

The Ferret reported earlier this month (8 June 2021) that Police Scotland were investigating a report from a whistleblower of a seal shot at a salmon farm (revealed by Scottish Salmon Watch to be at Scottish Sea Farms' RSPCA Assured Loch Spelve salmon salmon farm).

 

 

 

 

 

Don Staniford, Director of Scottish Salmon Watch, said:

 

"M&S must be congratulated for dropping their fake Lochmuir branding but surely they should drop farmed salmon altogether?  Rebranding as RSPCA Assured 'responsibly sourced' salmon is like leaping out of the frying pan into the fire.  RSPCA Assured salmon is a welfare nightmare and should be avoided like the proverbial plague.  Consumers have a right to know the awful truth about how factory farmed salmon reach their plates.  M&S is still duping customers by their false claims of high welfare standards and 'responsible' sourcing."

 

 

You Tube Fishing Real

 



 

Read more via:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Posted at 09:38 AM |

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06/16/2021

Frederik W. Mowinckel presents Mowi with Alexandra Morton's book 'Not On My Watch' at AGM in Norway

Frederik Mowinckel at Mowi AGM June 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Alexandra Morton posted on Facebook (9 June 2021):

 

Frederik Mowinckel at Mowi AGM June 2021 Facebook post

 

 

 

Frederik W. Mowinckel told Scottish Salmon Watch:

"As you know I attended the MOWI AGM in Bergen last week.  With my one share I voted against the suggested payment of dividend.  The chairman allowed me explain why I voted against this.  I told the AGM that I did not think they did nearly enough to protect the environment and that more money should be spent on protecting Nature.  I was the only shareholder attending.  Alexandra asked me to give a copy of her book 'Not on My Watch' to MOWI's chairman Ole-Eirik Lerøy.  After the AGM was finished,  I presented him with copy of her book.  He confirmed that he had not read the book, but promised to do so."  

 

 

 

 

 

In 2018, the Mowinckel family (whose name was appropriated by Mowi) raised objections to the renaming of Marine Harvest.

 

 

DN #1

 

Norway's Financial Times (Dagens Naringsliv) reported (4 December 2018):

 

DN #1 translation

 

Article in full online here (pay-per-view and in Norwegian)

 

 

 

Here's the newspaper version - download as a PDF online here

 

DN newspaper version #1

DN newspaper version #2

 

 

E24 reported (5 December 2018):

 

E24 #1

E24 #2

 

 

Frederik W. Mowinckel Tweeted (4 December 2018):

 

 

 

 

Frederik W. Mowinckel emailed:

 

Mowinckel email 4 Dec #1 Mowinckel email 4 Dec #2


 

Intrafish reported in March 2019:

 

Mowi name change March 2019 Intrafish #1

 

 

 

Frederick W. Mowinckel is a passionate advocate of wild salmon and has previously spoken out against salmon farming.  The Financial Times reported in 2013:

 

Frederick Mowinckel in FT quote #1

Frederick Mowinckel in FT photo

Frederick Mowinckel in FT quote #2

 

 

 

More details on Alexandra Morton's new book 'Not On My Watch' online here

 

 

 

 

 

Buy a copy of 'Not On My Watch' by Alexandra Morton online here

 

Penguin March 2021 #1

Penguin March 2021 #2

 

 

 

 

Posted at 12:52 PM |

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06/15/2021

The Art of Synthetic Salmon - BBC Food Programme on Tate Modern's Boycott of Artificially Coloured Pharmed Fish!

 



 

Listen to the BBC Food Programme's expose of artificial colourings in Scottish 'pharmed' salmon online here via BBC iPlayer (starts at 16 mins 58 secs - available for over a year)

 

BBC Food 13 June 2021 #1

BBC Food 13 June 2021 #2

 

 

 

For those without access to BBC iPlayer the fishy feature can be listened to online here

 

 





 

 

Visit Tate Britain and see the Cooking Sections art exhibit for yourself ('Salmon - A Red Herring' exhibition on until 31 August):

 

Tate boycott #1

 

Tate boycott #2

Tate boycott #3

 

 

 

 



 

The Guardian reported in April 2021:

 

 

 

 

 

 

The issue of fake farmed salmon is featured in Netflix's hit documentary 'Seaspiracy'.

 

Seaspiracy clip #3 Canthaxanthin

 

 

"Farmed salmon without colourants being added to its feed would be completely grey," said Corin Smith of Inside Scottish Salmon Feedlots.  "To the extent that salmon farmers can acutally select from a colour chart - much like you get when you're painting your house - you can select the pinkness of the salmon that you're going to produce.   So it wouldn't be for me to say but it does seem like people are eating grey fish which has been painted pink."

 

Seaspiracy Corin Smith

 

Seaspiracy clip #4 SalmoFan

 

 

 

Chris Packham & Megan McCubbin raised the issue in their new book 'Back to Nature' published in December 2020.

 

 

 

 

 

The Guardian reported back in 2003:

 

Canthaxanthin Guardian 2003

 

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via:

Lying err I mean Lobbying for 'Scottish' Salmon!

Salmon With a Fake Tan - Please Boycott Pharmed Fish!

Red Alert for Label Rouge - Lousy Label Goes Rogue

Ugly in Pink: Cosmetically Challenged Farmed Salmon!

Silent Spring of the Sea

 

 



Posted at 01:12 PM |

|

The Oban Times: "Seal scarer devices may harm harbour porpoise"

 

 

 

 

The Oban Times reported (14 June 2021):

 

Oban Times 14 June 2021 #1

Oban Times 14 June 2021 #2

Oban Times 14 June 2021 #3

 

 

Listen to BBC Radio Scotland (9 June 2021):

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via:

 

 

 

 

Posted at 11:31 AM |

|

06/14/2021

"EU deals potential setback to Benchmark’s rollout of new sea lice treatment"

 



 

Intrafish reported (13 June 2021):

 

Intrafish 13 June 2021 #1

 

Intrafish 13 June 2021 #2

 

Intrafish 13 June 2021 #3

 

 

Intrafish reported (1 March 2021):

 

Intrafish 13 June 2021 #4

 

Intrafish 13 June 2021 #5

 

Intrafish 13 June 2021 #6

 

 

Read more via:

 

 

 

 

Posted at 11:03 AM |

|

06/10/2021

Fish Farmer: "MEPs condemn new lice treatment: who's right"

 



 

Fish Farmer reported (10 June 2021):

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #27

EP vote 9 June 2021 #28

EP vote 9 June 2021 #29

EP vote 9 June 2021 #30

EP vote 9 June 2021 #31

EP vote 9 June 2021 #32

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the Fish Farmer magazine version as published in the June 2021 issue:

 

Fish Farmer June 2021 #1

 

 

Fish Farmer June 2021 #2

 

 

Fish Farmer June 2021 #3

 

Fish Farmer June 2021 #4

 

 

 

 

 

Read more via:

Posted at 06:07 PM |

|

"EU setback for novel lice treatment"

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported in April 2021:

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #16

 

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported in March 2021:

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #19

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported in February 2021:

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #18

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported in September 2020:

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #17

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported in May 2020:

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #21

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported in March 2020:

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #20

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported in February 2020:

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #22

 

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported in October 2018:

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #24

 

 

Fish Farming Expert reported in December 2017:

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #23

 

 

Read more via:

Posted at 12:54 PM |

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

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #10 Victory

 

 

Grace O'Sullivan MEP Tweeted (10 June 2021):

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 



 

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."

 

Don Staniford CP 2012

 

 

 



 

Here's the European Parliament's web-site detailing the text adopted today (10 June 2021):

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #25 EP text

 

 

Download the text in full as a PDF online here

 

EP vote 9 June 2021 #26

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch wrote this morning to the London Stock Exchange (where Benchmark is floated) and the Financial Conduct Authority:

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
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 <[email protected]>, AIM Regulation <[email protected]>
Cc: <[email protected]>, Rachel Aninakwah <[email protected]>

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)?

 
 
 
EP vote 9 June 2021 #11 Victory Tweet
 
 
 
 
Thanks,
 
Don
 
 
 

 
 

 
 
 
Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to the London Stock Exchange and the Financial Conduct Authority last month:
 
 
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
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Scottish Salmon Watch reported last month (29 May 2021):
 



 
 

The Guardian reported (27 May 2021):

 

Guardian Novichok 27 May 2021 #1

 

 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Scottish Salmon Watch reported (21 May 2021):
 
 

 
 

 
 
 

 

 
 
 

In April 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch wrote to Benchmark questioning the accuracy of the claim that BMK08 (Imidacloprid) had been "ratified under EU law".

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Apr 19, 2021 at 9:44 AM
Subject: Imidacloprid MRL "ratified under EU Law"
To: Rachel Aninakwah <[email protected]com>
 
Rachel,
 
Could you please clarify your claim in Benchmark's press release on Friday (see below)?
 
Namely:
 
"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".
 
 
How and where has an MRL for Imidacloprid (BMK08) "now been ratified under European Law"?
 
Please provide the documentation to corroborate this claim.
 
Scottish Salmon Watch understands from dialogue with a contact in Brussels that Benchmark has jumped the gun on this one and your claim is incorrect. 
 
Clarification by the end of the day would therefore be much appreciated.
 
You could also reply to this Tweet: https://twitter.com/TheGAAIA/status/1384065096704425986
 
Thanks,
 
Don
 
 
From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, Apr 19, 2021 at 9:44 AM
Subject: Imidacloprid MRL "ratified under EU Law"
To: Rachel Aninakwah <[email protected]com>


Rachel,
 
Could you please clarify your claim in Benchmark's press release on Friday (see below)?
 
Namely:
 
"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".
 
 
How and where has an MRL for Imidacloprid (BMK08) "now been ratified under European Law"?
 
Please provide the documentation to corroborate this claim.
 
Scottish Salmon Watch understands from dialogue with a contact in Brussels that Benchmark has jumped the gun on this one and your claim is incorrect. 
 
Clarification by the end of the day would therefore be much appreciated.
 
You could also reply to this Tweet: https://twitter.com/TheGAAIA/status/1384065096704425986
 
Thanks,
 
Don
 
 
 
From: Benchmark Holdings <[email protected]>
Date: Fri, 16 Apr 2021 at 11:04
Subject: Benchmark Holdings - BMK08+CleanTreat Update
To:
RNS Number : 7421V
Benchmark Holdings PLC
16 April 2021
 

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                           

[email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

Reuters reported last month (6 May 2021):

 

Reuters May 2021 #1

Reuters May 2021 #2

 

 

In March 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch and The Ferret revealed that BMk08 (formerly marketed by Benchmark as 'Ectosan') was the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Imidacloprid was marketed as D10 Aquatic Blast in 2014. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

Imidacloprid Horrible History June 2020 #1

Imidacloprid Horrible History June 2020 #2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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. 

 

 

 

 

In April 2021, Scottish Salmon Watch warned: 

 

 

 

 

Read more via:

 
 

Posted at 09:25 AM |

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06/09/2021

"Five out of the six top farms in Scotland" use GenusWave's 'Acoustic Startle Technology' - But is it MMPA compliant & does it comply with EU law?

 

 

 

 

Salmon Business reported earlier this week (7 June 2021):

 

Salmon Business Genus Wave June 2021 #1

 

Salmon Business Genus Wave June 2021 #2

Salmon Business Genus Wave June 2021 #3

Salmon Business Genus Wave June 2021 #4

Salmon Business Genus Wave June 2021 #5

 

Salmon Business Genus Wave June 2021 #7

Salmon Business Genus Wave June 2021 #8

 

 

Ace Aquatec claimed in Fish Farmer magazine to be "MMPA compliant" (1 March 2021).

 

 

 

 

Ace Aquatec MMPA compliant 1 March 2021 #

Ace Aquatec MMPA compliant 1 March 2021

 

 

 

In August 2020, NOAA issued a 'proposed rule':

 

NOAA proposal Aug 2020

NOAA proposal Aug 2020 #2

 

 

 

 

 

NOAA explained in an email to Scottish Salmon Watch (1 March 2021):

 

NOAA email on MMPA compliant ADDs 1 March 2021 #1

NOAA email on MMPA compliant ADDs 1 March 2021 #2

 

 

 

I Tweeted in March 2021:

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in February 2021:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in June 2020:

 

GenusWave June 2020

 

 

Genuswave claim on their web-site:

 

GenusWave website re US MMPA compliance #1 GenusWave website re US MMPA compliance #2

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in a press release (17 June 2020):

 

GenusWave PR section #1

 

GenusWave PR section #2

 

GenusWave PR section #3

 

GenusWave PR section #4

GenusWave PR section #5

 

GenusWave PR section #6

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in February 2021:

 

The above web-page no longer exists (as of 22 February 2021):

 

GenusWave website re US MMPA compliance #3 error Feb 2021

 

 

 

GenusWave still claim on their new web-site that it is "MMPA compliant":

 

Genuswave website Feb 2021 MMPA Compliant #1

Genuswave website Feb 2021 MMPA Compliant #2

Genuswave website Feb 2021 MMPA Compliant #3

Genuswave website Feb 2021 MMPA Compliant #4

 

 

Fish Farmer reported in March 2020:

 

Fish Farmer 25 March 2020 ASC seal scarer

 

Read article in full in the April 2020 issue of Fish Farmer online here

 

 

Genuswave April 2020 Fish farmer

 

 

 

The Times reported in 2013 that salmon farmers in Scotland had baulked at the cost of trialling GenusWave:

 

GenusWave Times March 2013 #1

GenusWave Times March 2013 #2

GenusWave Times March 2013 #3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to documents filed at Companies House, GenusWave is owned by the American investor Steven Alveny (95% shares) and German university reader Vincent Janik of the University of St. Andrews (5% shares):

 

GenusWave shareholders Alevy & Janik

 

 

Vincent Janik is a professor at the University of St. Andrews and Director of the Scottish Oceans Institute whilst Steven Alveny is listed via LinkedIn as Managing Director at Bankers Capital. 

 

GenusWave Steven Alevy

GenusWave Janik

 

 

Read more via:

 

Photo Porpoise in ear defenders

 

 

 

Posted at 12:42 PM |

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