FOI Reveals Zero Information on Spillage Impacts of Banned Neonicotinoid - Imidacloprid Use in Scottish Salmon Farming Dead in the Water?

 

FOI Reveals Zero Information on Spillage Impacts of Banned Neonicotinoid - Imidacloprid Use in Scottish Salmon Farming Dead in the Water? @ScottishEPA @scotgov @marinescotland @ScotGovNetZero https://t.co/SxYT7GYBRE @WeAreBenchmark @MowiScotlandLtd @scotseafarms @ScotlandSalmon pic.twitter.com/zQ641np1Mf

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) August 22, 2022

 

Following the spill of 11,000 litres of contaminated water from a wellboat in Norway, the Scottish Government and Scottish Environment Protection Agency have both admitted that they have zero information on the ecological impacts of a spill of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in Scottish waters. 

 

Definition of Reckless: Using a banned neonicotinoid (Imidacloprid) in the marine environment where 'leakage' is inevitable! https://t.co/jvkxWGGA1w @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner @ScottishEPA @marinescotland @scotgp @nature_scot @ScotlandSalmon @MowiScotlandLtd @ArianeBurgessHI https://t.co/hBOCR6s6rn pic.twitter.com/nDLxpwYIEw

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) July 21, 2022

 

 

 

Here's $camon $cotland's FOI request dated 21 July 2022:

 

From: Don Staniford <[email protected]>
Date: Thu, Jul 21, 2022 at 10:33 AM
Subject: Imidacloprid spill in Norway - 110,000 litres of contaminated water spilled into sea in Nordland
To: <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>
Cc: <directormarinescotland@gov.scot>, Media <[email protected]>, Pollard, Peter <[email protected]>, Sinclair, Douglas <[email protected]>, <[email protected]>, Burgess A (Ariane), MSP <Ariane.Burgess.msp@parliament.scot>, Ruskell M (Mark), MSP <Mark.Ruskell.msp@parliament.scot>, MSP <Patrick.Harvie.msp@parliament.scot>, Johnstone A (Alison), MSP <Alison.Johnstone.msp@parliament.scot>

 

Are Scottish Ministers aware of the incident on 1 June 2022 when 110,000 litres of contaminated well boat water containing the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid spilled into the sea in Nordland, Norway?

 

Imidacloprid Spill in Norway - 110,000 litres of contaminated water spills into sea in Nordland!

 

$camon $cotland views the use of Imidacloprid - dubbed 'Novichok for insects' by Professor Dave Goulson of the University of Sussex) - in Scottish waters as reckless in the extreme (especially in view of information in the patent that "leakage" and "loss of agent in the environment" can occur): https://twitter.com/TheGAAIA/status/1550030529466179589

 

$camon Scotland is aware of growing public opposition against the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farms in Scotland: Press Release: "Smoked Scottish Salmon: Neonicotinoid Use Dead in the Water in Scotland?"

 

However, we are extremely concerned at the lack of public information and support from inside the Scottish Government for the use of Imidacloprid in salmon pharming:

 

The Ferret: "Watchdog helped pesticide firm avoid freedom of information" 

 

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

 

 

In view of the 110,000 litre spill in Norway (as well as the increasing weight of scientific evidence against the use of Imidacloprid - including alarming new scientific research in California which is proposing to restrict use of Imidacloprid), will Scottish Ministers support a ban on the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming in Scotland?

 

 

Finally, please provide any information on spillage, leakage and/or discharge of Imidacloprid - including the June 2022 incident in Norway - in salmon farming. 

 

For example, has Benchmark, Mowi, Scottish Sea Farms (Norskott Havbruk), Grieg Seafood, The Scottish Salmon Company/Bakkafrost Scotland, Salmon Scotland or any other parties submitted documents as part of any ecological and environmental risk assessments referring to spillage, leakage and/or discharge of Imidacloprid?

 

Has the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (copied into this email) conducted any environmental risk assessments of spillage, leakage and/or discharge of Imidacloprid in salmon farming? 

 

Please consider this a formal request for information under the relevant FOI and Environmental Information regulations.

 

Thanks,

 

 

Don Staniford

 

Director, $camon $cotland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a major spillage of a neonicotinoid into the North Sea, the company involves says it is fine 'cos the pesticide degrades rapidly. This is patently untrue, flying in the face of all scientific evidence. https://t.co/3YmQvunLpP

— Dave Goulson (@DaveGoulson) July 25, 2022

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the FOI reply from the Scottish Government dated 15 August 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download letter in full online here

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here's the FOI reply from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency dated 17 August 2022:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Download letter in full online here

 

 

 

In view of the 110,000 litre spill in Norway (as well as the increasing weight of scientific evidence), will Scottish Ministers support a ban on the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming in Scotland? @MairiMcAllan @MairiGougeon @scotgp @ScotGovNetZero https://t.co/SxYT7GYBRE pic.twitter.com/T4HUXu3wYu

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) August 22, 2022

 

 

 

 

Norwegian-owned Benchmark keep on cranking up the PR.   Fish Farming Expert reported (30 August 2022):

 

 

 

Pumping up the PR: "More than 34 million farmed salmon have been treated for sea lice with the novel bath treatment Ectosan Vet [the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid] since it started being used commercially in Norway a year ago" @WeAreBenchmark @scotgp https://t.co/CR6AIyhdSU pic.twitter.com/hYaJsiGyNn

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) August 30, 2022

 

Read more via: 

• Imidacloprid Spill in Norway - 110,000 litres of contaminated water spills into sea in Nordland!
• 'Silent Spring of the Sea' talk by Don Staniford online now!
• Press Release: "Smoked Scottish Salmon: Neonicotinoid Use Dead in the Water in Scotland?"
• Norwegian Pharmed Salmon Marinaded in Neonicotinoid - over 3.25 tonnes of Imidacloprid used in 2021!
• 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

 

 

 

Benchmark's new sea lice treatment (the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid) spills into sea in Norway - 110,000 litres of contaminated water spilled near Heggvika in Nordland https://t.co/CzUmirrJ1o @IntraFish @WeAreBenchmark @NFdep @fiskeridir @InfoMattilsynet #Imidacloprid pic.twitter.com/v44YiZUWTZ

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) July 21, 2022

 

 

 

Benchmark issues £64m green bond https://t.co/iooh4PdLYb
How can deploying the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (Ectosan Vet) on salmon pharms ever be called 'green'? @WeAreBenchmark @FerdOwner @Naturvern @Partiet @PAN_UK @europeangreens @scotgp @ScottishEPA #Greenwashing #Scam

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) September 20, 2022

 

 

Neonicotinoid dealer Benchmark - pushing 'Novichok for insects' in salmon pharming - increased losses by 163% to £30.5 m "due to increased depreciation associated with CleanTreat". Is Imidacloprid use dead in the water in Scotland? @ScottishEPA @scotgov https://t.co/RfnuMYRqsR pic.twitter.com/8dF1PDtJxK

— Don Staniford (@TheGAAIA) November 30, 2022