Did @WeAreBenchmark deploy all of the 3.25 tonnes of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid used in Norway in 2021? @Folkehelseinst https://t.co/tSf7jgX5B2
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 1, 2022
Or was D10 Aquatic Blast used by Salmo Pharma too? @Legemiddelinfo @fiskeridir @NFdep @InfoMattilsynet @LeroySeafood @Partiet pic.twitter.com/L7itDGvxyv
Fish Farming Expert reported in April 2022:
Yesterday (31 May 2022), Fish Farming Expert changed their headline (after it was pointed out that other companies - in addition to Benchmark - could be using Imidacloprid):
Here's the data published in April 2022 by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health:
Over 3.25 tonnes of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid - dubbed 'Novichok for insects' @DaveGoulson - were used on salmon farms in Norway in 2021 (according to data published by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health @Folkehelseinst) @WeAreBenchmark https://t.co/TNORW0iTsX pic.twitter.com/9m8rHkovWu
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 1, 2022
Pharmed salmon leaves a bad taste in the mouth.
Fish Farming Expert reported in December 2021:
Imidacloprid - the bee-killing chemical dubbed "Novichok for insects" - is "keenly awaited by salmon farmers in Scotland"! https://t.co/YAt9VvUo8m
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) December 16, 2021
When will the banned neonicotinoid be used on salmon farms? @scotgov @marinescotland @ScottishEPA @salmon_scottish @ScotlandSalmon pic.twitter.com/C3vZgCPh3t
Fish Farming Expert reported in August 2021:
Norway deploys the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in salmon farms - please stop the use of this toxic chemical in Scotland! https://t.co/MaI4ArWOyF@ScottishEPA @TerryAHearn @nature_scot @vmdgovuk @EMA_News @marinescotland @MairiMcAllan @MairiGougeon @ScotGovNetZero @scotgov pic.twitter.com/qNFdZr6gbP
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) August 4, 2021
Fish Farming Expert reported in July 2021:
In May 2021, Professor Dave Goulson - author of 'Silent Earth' - dubbed Imidacloprid 'Novichok for insects' in an article in The Guardian.
"It’s like the wild west" said @DaveGoulson "These chemicals are incredibly poisonous – the novichok for insects. It takes a billionth of a gram to harm aquatic life, so even tiny traces would have major impacts on marine life" @guardian @WeAreBenchmark https://t.co/OzouYaXCEk
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 27, 2021
iLaks reported in August 2020 (sourced from an article published in the regional newspaper Helgelands Blad):
Here's a Google Translation of the Norwegian article:
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.
Which salmon farms in Norway are being permitted by @fiskeridir to use the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (D-10 Aquatic Blast)? https://t.co/sojgslu2Wk @seafoodnorway @UK_NSC @NFdep @fiskeribladet @IntraFishNorge @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner @NorwaySeafoodUS@Fiskeoppdrett pic.twitter.com/gO4Ge4JDZw
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 23, 2021
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:
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:
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:
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.
Benchmark's patent for use of the toxic neonicotinoid insecticide Imidacloprid in salmon farming concedes it is a "potentially hazardous agent in the field" & that "leakage" can occur with "loss of agent in the environment" https://t.co/QfeF31RAiM @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner pic.twitter.com/IPjorjqtmO
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 26, 2020
Norwegian-owned Benchmark first unveiled Ectosan in December 2017 (omitting to tell investors or the public that it was Bayer's controversial neonicotinoid Imidacloprid).
In November 2019, Benchmark quietly re-branded Ectosan as BMK08 (still remaining tight lipped as to its secret identity as a banned neonicotinoid).
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.
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).
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.
Campaigners fear that a nicotine pesticide that the fish farming industry and the Scottish Government want to trial in Scotland could threaten marine wildlife.https://t.co/bw5IBgTwqi
— The Ferret (@FerretScot) March 17, 2020
Scottish Salmon Watch revealed in June 2020 how Benchmark-owned Fish Vet Group (based in Inverness) filed a patent in Norway in 2011.
Meet the filthy rich Norwegian tobacco billionaire @FerdOwner desperate to 'CleanTreat' parasite-infested pharmed salmon with the toxic neonicotinoid insecticide Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan) @WeAreBenchmark https://t.co/ORQS4EAeDS #Salmoney #Salmonopoly https://t.co/u5aJ4cQ1eS pic.twitter.com/2zh6cxBdeg
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) March 18, 2020
Scottish Salmon Watch revealed in May 2020 that Norwegian giant Mowi had lobbied the Scottish Environment Protection Agency to use Imidacloprid (Ectosan) in Loch Ailort in Scotland in a field trial.
Secret Trials: 'Royal' Salmon Doused with Bee-Killing Insecticide Imidacloprid? https://t.co/S1ovGqCpu7 FOI reveals proposed 'field trial' of toxic neonicotinoid @MowiScotlandLtd at Ardnish in Loch Ailort @ScottishEPA @WeAreBenchmark @marinescotland @FerdOwner @vmdgovuk #BMK08 pic.twitter.com/iUl9lk7XPv
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 20, 2020
Scottish Greens "deeply concerned" at Mowi's field trial of Neonicotinoid @markruskell @strathearnrose @scotgp @FergusEwingMSP @SP_ECCLR @ScottishEPA "Imidacloprid has been classed as an environmental hazard" @WeAreBenchmark @MowiScotlandLtd @vmdgovuk https://t.co/KTgbs4GnNM pic.twitter.com/ESCXnu1TOM
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 21, 2020
In October 2021, veterinarians and scientists in the UK voiced their opposition to the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming in a letter published in the Veterinary Record.
"The risk that Imidacloprid presents to ecosystems when used in the marine environment is too great, and the precautionary principle must be applied" @Vet_Record @DaveGoulson @WeAreBenchmark @ScottishEPA @marinescotland @MairiGougeon @SSPOsays @MowiScotlandLtd @scotgp @FerdOwner pic.twitter.com/6Xy6GbYNyE
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) October 13, 2021
$camon $cotland revealed in March 2022 that the salmon farming lobby was still pushing to use Imidacloprid in Scotland via Benchmark's 'CleanTreat' system.
Toxic Salmon: FOI Reveals Lobbying To Use Banned Neonicotinoid in Scotland - will trials of Imidacloprid take place this year? @ScottishEPA @marinescotland @MowiScotlandLtd @sustain_aqua @WeAreBenchmark @LeroySeafood @scotseafarms @vmdgovuk @scotgphttps://t.co/fO4qj5HUfh #BMK08 pic.twitter.com/G345o5I8DW
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) March 16, 2022
Marine Scotland’s director, Annabel Turpie, has backed a treatment system for farmed fish designed to use a pesticide with “potentially devastating consequences for marine life”.https://t.co/kCHxUc4YBC
— The Ferret (@FerretScot) May 21, 2021
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency told a firm wanting to start using a bee-killing chemical at fish farms to mark correspondence “confidential”— so that it wouldn’t have to be released in response to freedom of information requests. #FOIhttps://t.co/hIclBVFKop
— The Ferret (@FerretScot) July 19, 2021
Read more via:
- Norway Symposium: "Silent Spring of the Sea - Salmon Pharming Kills Shellfish & Other Marine Life"
- Toxic Salmon: FOI Reveals Lobbying To Use Banned Neonicotinoid in Scotland - will trials of Imidacloprid take place this year?
- "Novichok for Insects" Unleashed on Scottish Salmon This Summer?
- Benchmark Gears Up for Imidacloprid Use in Norway: "keenly awaited by salmon farmers in Scotland"!
- Vets & Scientists Voice Concerns Vs Imidacloprid Use in Salmon Pharming - Letter published in Veterinary Record
- ASC endorses banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in salmon farming
- "SEPA has not received an application to use Imidacloprid" admits Scottish Government
- Private Eye: "Toxic Relationship"
- Norway Deploys Banned Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid - Scotland, Chile & Canada Next in Firing Line!
- The Ferret: "Watchdog helped pesticide firm avoid freedom of information"
- Toxic Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid Collared by Legal Petition in US - are investors in Ectosan Vet/BMK08/D-10 Aquatic Blast feeling hot under the collar?
- Scottish Government backtracks on neonicotinoid use in salmon pharming: "there is no planned imminent approval of Imidacloprid"
- Dirty Secrets Exposed: FOI Disclosure by SEPA on Benchmark's Banned Neonicotinoid Ectosan/BMK08 (Imidacloprid)
- Salmon Pharming's 'Silent Spring' of the Sea
- "New weapon against salmon lice" reports Norwegian media (failing to mention Ectosan is the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid)
- Norway Approves Banned Bee-Killing Neonicotinoid for Use on Norwegian Salmon - Scotland, Chile & Canada Next In Firing Line!
- Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid Dogged by Lawsuits, Bans & Deaths - Is Benchmark's BMK08 in the doghouse or will it be unleashed?
- Canadian field trials of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid on salmon farms?
- Norwegian Environment Agency FOI reply lifts lid on banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid
- Interferencia: "Salmon Farming - Norwegian company seeks to commercialize in Chile a pesticide banned by the EU for being 'very toxic' to aquatic life"
- Anyone for Norwegian Salmon Marinaded in the Banned Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (don't worry it's ASC-approved)?!
- "EU deals potential setback to Benchmark’s rollout of new sea lice treatment"
- Fish Farmer: "MEPs condemn new lice treatment: who's right" "
- "EU setback for novel lice treatment"
- Breaking News: Victory in Europe - Parliament votes against the use of the toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in farmed salmon!
- Fish Farming Expert: "Novel lice treatment threatened by European Parliament vote"
- Wave of European Opposition to Benchmark's Imidacloprid (BMK08) - the tide turns against neonicotinoids in salmon pharming!
- European Opposition to Neonicotinoid Contamination of Farmed Salmon - is BMK08 (Imidacloprid) dead in the water?
- The Guardian: "‘Novichok for insects’ may be approved for Scottish fish farms"
- Who are the toxic team lurking behind Benchmark's BMK08 (Imidacloprid) in Scottish salmon pharming?
- The Ferret: "Bee-killing pesticide treatment for fish farms backed by Scottish Government"
- Cleaning Tox-Sick Scottish Salmon - Benchmark's magic trick making the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid disappear!
- Rumsfeldian Fish Philosophy - Things We Know We Know, Things We Now Know We Don't Know & Things We Don't Know We Don't Know About 'Scottish' Salmon!
- SEPA ordered by Commissioner to Disclose 'Commercially Confidential' Information on CleanTreat & BMK08 (Imidacloprid) by 7 June
- Warning: Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid Use in Salmon Farming "Clears Another Hurdle" With European MRL
- Warning: Imidacloprid Moves A Step Closer to Commercial Use in Salmon Farming
- Nasty Neonicotinoid Plagues Salmon Farming in 2021
- Toxic Neonicotinoid "Close to Commercial Launch" in Salmon Farming!
- New Science Dogs Approval of Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid for Scottish Salmon!
- Imidacloprid Use in Scottish Salmon Farming?
- Secret Salmon - On the Trail of Imidacloprid Use in Scotland!
- British Wildlife: "Neonics in Salmon Farming - Alarm Bells Are Ringing"
- Caveat Chile - toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (BMK08) coming soon!
- Toxic Politics - Meet the Scottish Government's Minister for Sinister Chemicals
- Imidacloprid Licensed for Use by Mowi in Loch Ailort?
- Further Scientific Opposition to Imidacloprid Use in Salmon Farming
- Patent lifts lid on neonicotinoid use in salmon farming
- Horrible History: Imidacloprid Use in Salmon Farming
- Scientific Opposition to Neonicotinoid Use in Salmon Farming
- Backgrounder: "Imidacloprid - A Neonicotinoid Insecticide Toxic to Aquatic Life"
- BBC Farming Today on "Neonicotinoids in Salmon Farming"
- Sunday Times: "Outlawed insecticide may be used on Scottish salmon"
- FOI letter on Scientific Concerns re. Imidacloprid Use in Scottish Salmon Farming
- Scottish Greens "Deeply Concerned" at Mowi's Field Trial of Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in Loch Ailort
- Letter to the Prince of Wales re. bee-killing Imidacloprid use at royal warrant holder Mowi
- Secret Trials: 'Royal' Salmon Doused with Bee-Killing Insecticide Imidacloprid?
- Follow the Salmoney - the Norwegian tobacco billionaire behind the Neonicotinoid Imidacloprid
- ENDS Report: "Calls for greater transparency over ‘toxic’ new fish farm product"
- Letter to SEPA: Please Come Clean on Imidacloprid!
- Letter to Scottish Ministers, SEPA & the VMD re. Imidacloprid
- FOI requests on Imidacloprid to SEPA, VMD & the Scottish Government
- Revealed: Toxic Neonicotinoid Insecticide Used to 'CleanTreat' Lousy Salmon
- Please Come Clean on BMK08!
- Sunday Times: "Official fears revealed over toxic threat of salmon trade"
- Cleaning Tox-Sick Scottish Salmon
- CleanTreat FOI Disclosures by the Scottish Government to Scottish Salmon Watch
- Media Backgrounder: Chemically Embalmed Scottish Salmon
- All is Not Well With Sick Scottish Salmon
I'm buzzing with excitement to be flying over to Norway next week for a symposium on toxic chemicals! https://t.co/a1dvrYKrrL
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 31, 2022
My talk - "Silent Spring of the Sea: Salmon Pharming Kills Shellfish & Other Marine Life" - lifts the lid on the use of Imidacloprid @WeAreBenchmark
Meet the toxic team behind the use of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in Scottish salmon pharming! https://t.co/AvF9wXoiNh @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner @marinescotland @ScottishEPA @MairiMcAllan @MairiGougeon @GreenerScotland #Imidacloprid #BMK08 #Neonicotinoid #SEPA #Toxic pic.twitter.com/pH4c2aAZre
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) May 21, 2021
Lower salmon production in Scotland enabled Norway to increase its exports of the fish to the UK https://t.co/es4d75yGSM
— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) June 6, 2022
How much of the Norwegian pharmed salmon sold in UK supermarkets @Tesco @asda @LidlGB @AldiUK was marinaded in the banned neocnicotinoid Imidacloprid? @UK_NSC