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

Imidacloprid Toxic Team #1

 

 

 

 

Norwegian-owned Benchmark – fuelled by Ferd's money which was made via the tobacco company Tiedemanns Tobaksfabrik – is banking on the commercial success of the banned neonicotinoid Imidacloprid (BMK08) but delays in regulatory approval are costing it millions.  Fish Farming Expert reported earlier this week (18 May 2021).

 

 

 

 

Fish Farmer magazine reported last month (16 April 2021) on new hires relating to the roll out of Benchmark's 'CleanTreat' system (the vehicle to use Imidacloprid/BMK08 – a toxic neonicotinoid banned for use in terrestrial agriculture in 2018 and marketed by Benchmark as 'Ectosan' when they launched it in 2017 and as D10 Aquatic Blast in a breakthrough pitch in 2014):

 

Fish Farmer 16 April 2021 #1

Fish Farmer 16 April 2021 #2 Fish Farmer 16 April 2021 #3

 

 

 

 

 

Find out more about Meghan Rochford's work via LinkedIn:

 

Meghan Rochford LinkedIn

Meghan Rochford LinkedIn #1

Meghan Rochford LinkedIn #2

 

 

The Scottish Association for Marine Science position is described as a "Knowledge Transfer Partnership" funded by Marine Harvest (re-named Mowi in 2019).

 

Meghan Rochford SAMS MH

 

 

Benchmark may have also hired former SEPA and Mowi environmental scientist Ewan Gillespie – his ResearchGate profile says he now works for Benchmark (although an article in Fish Farmer in February 2020 described Gillespie as "now retired").

 

Ewan Gillespie Benchmark May 2021

 

 

 

An Environmental Impact Assessment authored by Marine Harvest in 2018 includes Ewan Gillespie's biography:

 

Ewan Gillespie Marine Harvest bio

 

 

From information detailed via patent applications we also know the brains behind BMK08 (Imidacloprid).  A patent filed in Canada (CA3045239A1) in December 2017 (published in June 2018 & described as a 'National Entry' in May 2019) lifted the lid on how Norwegian-owned Benchmark plans to use the toxic neonicotinoid insecticide Imidacloprid in salmon farming – including Scotland – with the addresses of the inventors John Marshall, Matthew Longshaw and Elizabeth Appleyard listed:

 

Patent Canada #1 names and addresses

 

 

 

Matthew Longshaw's LinkedIn profile shows that he worked for Benchmark from January 2014 to September 2020 (potentially at Benchmark's Ardtoe marine laboratory where CleanTreat and BMK08/Imidacloprid/Ectosan were "developed over a ten year period"):

 

Matthew Longshaw Linkedin #1

Matthew Longshaw Linkedin #2

 

 

Here's John Marshall's LinkedIn profile:

 

John Marshall LinkedIn

 

 

John Marshall is listed as one of Benchmark's 'Operations Board':

 

John Marshall Benchmark operations board

 

The third 'inventor' of the use of the toxic neonicotinoid Imidacloprid in salmon farming via CleanTreat is Elizabeth Appleyard – who appears to be Beth Appleyard on LinkedIn.

 

Elizabeth Appleyard LinkeIn #1

Elizabeth Appleyard LinkeIn #3

 

 

Benchmark's John Marshall and Neil Robertson have heavily lobbied the Scottish Government and the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.  Documents obtained via Freedom of Information in December 2019 from the Scottish Government revealed that Benchmark had met with the Scottish Government in September 2019 following a "positive" approach by Fergus Ewing (Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy) who wrote that "Scotland is open for business":

 

Fergus Ewing meeting Benchmark Sept 2019 #3

Fergus Ewing meeting Benchmark Sept 2019 #4

 

 

Fergus Ewing meeting Benchmark Sept 2019 #2

 

Fergus Ewing meeting Benchmark Sept 2019 #1

 

 

 

Documents disclosed via FOI by the Scottish Government in December 2019 reveal that Benchmark's John Marshall and Neil Robertson met inside the Scottish Parliament with Fergus Ewing (who this week was removed from the Cabinet) and Scottish Government staff in September 2019.

 

Fergus Ewing meeting Benchmark Sept 2019 #5

 

 

 

 

 

Unfortunately, a great deal of information was redacted but biographies of Benchmark's John Marshall (one of the three 'inventors' of the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming via CleanTreat) and Neil Robertson were disclosed.

 

Fergus Ewing meeting Benchmark Sept 2019 #6 John Marshall

 

Fergus Ewing meeting Benchmark Sept 2019 #7 Neil Robertson

 

 

Hopefully SEPA's forthcoming FOI disclosure – ordered by the Scottish Information Commissioner to be disclosed by 7 June 2021 – will reveal more including details of meetings with Benchmark.  A FOI reply in November 2019 revealed that Benchmark had met with SEPA on five occasions between October 2018 and September 2019.

 

SEPA meetings Benchmark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fish Farmer magazine reported in February 2020 that more than 35,000 tonnes of Norwegian farmed salmon at five farms had been treated with Imidacloprid (BMK08) "over the past 24 months":

 

Fish Farmer Feb 2020 #1

 

 

Fish Farmer Feb 2020 #2

 

Fish Farmer Feb 2020 #3

 

Fish Farmer Feb 2020 #4

 

 

It also seems likely that BMK08/Ectosan (Imidacloprid) was used – perhaps illegally, certainly secretly – during the decade-long developmental phase of research at Benchmark's marine laboratory at Ardtoe on the West coast of Scotland. 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch visited the FAI Aquaculture Marine Laboratory in Ardtoe in August 2020 – the Benchmark-owned facility which developed their CleanTreat system "over a 10 year period":

 

 

 

 

 

 

When Scottish Salmon Watch visited Ardtoe in July 2020 it looked deserted with rumours that Benchmark had mothballed the marine research facility (it sold off the Fish Vet Group in July 2020 and sold off other non-core businesses in June 2020).

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch visited Ardtoe in July 2019 (Benchmark denied a polite request for a site visit):

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benchmark's FAI Aquaculture web-site referred back in 2020 (it has now been removed) to "the need to maximise the sustainability and minimise the environmental impact of the technologies, and practices we develop" but there is no mention of the use of the neonicotinoid insecticide Imidacloprid or the 'CleanTreat' system which was developed over a 10-year period at Ardtoe.

 

FAI Ardtoe website

 

Marie-Clare Russell

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in May 2020 that Mowi had lobbied the Scottish Environment Protection Agency in March 2020 to support a field trial of Imidacloprid in Loch Ailort (a site visited by Prince Philip in 1974 leading to a Royal Warrant for Mowi – then called Marine Harvest).

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch and The Ferret revealed in March 2020 that BMK08 (known as Ectosan until late 2019) was Imidacloprid following a tip-off that Mowi had sought approval via the Aquaculture Stewardship Council.  Benchmark's largest owner is Norwegian tobacco billionaire Johan Andresen who rather paradoxically is Chair of Norway's Council on Ethics who polices 'ethical' investment including in 'Scottish' salmon farming.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch reported in July 2020:

 

 

 

 

The Ferret reported in September 2018 that Fergus Ewing was pushing the use of a neonicotinoid chemical in the forestry sector:

 

Ferret Fergus Woodlands 2018 #1

Ferret Fergus Woodlands 2018 #2

 

In November 2018 (following a meeting with Benchmark in October 2018), FOI documents disclosed by the Scottish Government reveal that Fergus Ewing lobbied to speed up trials which Norwegian salmon farming giant Marine Harvest (renamed Mowi on 1 January 2019 despite objections from the Mowinckel family) wanted "to get off the ground as soon as possible". 

CleanTreat FOI Disclosures by the Scottish Government Dec 2019 #6 Nov 2018 Fergus Mowi as soon as possible

 

 

In May 2020, the Scottish Greens wrote to the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment (Roseanna Cunningham) "deeply concerned" at the use of Imidacloprid in salmon farming following the revelation that Mowi had lobbied SEPA to support a field trial in Loch Ailort.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scottish Salmon Watch has repeatedly asked Benchmark to provide details on BMK08 and CleanTreat but have been refused due to the information being deemed "commercially sensitive".  Benchmark's Communications Manager wrote in January 2020:

 

From: Rachel Aninakwah <rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.com>
Date: Thu, Jan 23, 2020 at 8:21 AM
Subject: Re: Visit to CleanTreat's operations in early 2020?
To: salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>

Dear Don, 

Many thanks for your interest in Benchmark’s CleanTreat purification system.

Our new sea lice treatment, BMK08, is currently in development phase and is therefore commercially sensitive and due to regulations we are constrained about the extent to which we can provide information. The CleanTreat system is demobilised until further trials are planned so we are unable to offer a visit at this time.

We would be happy to share with you the publicly available information on CleanTreat in the meantime. The CleanTreat webpage here explains the CleanTreat process in more detail.

Kind regards,

Rachel

Rachel Aninakwah

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

+44 (0) 203 696 0630

rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.com 

benchmarkplc.com

14 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4QH

 

 

Benchmark's Communications Manager wrote in May 2020:

 

From: Rachel Aninakwah <rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.com>
Date: Fri, May 29, 2020 at 2:59 PM
Subject: Re: Field trials of Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan) in Scotland?
To: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>

Dear Don,

Thank you for your inquiry and for your interest. We are currently unable to accept visits.  For more information on our treatment system, please visit  https://www.benchmarkplc.com/news/bmk08/

Kind regards,

Rachel

Rachel Aninakwah

COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER

+44 (0) 203 696 0630

rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.com 

benchmarkplc.com

14 Red Lion Square, London WC1R 4QH

 

 

 

Rachel Aninakwah is listed as on Benchmark's 'Operations Board':

 

Rachel Akinwanah

 

 

Here's her LinkedIn profile:

 

Rachel Akinwanah LinkedIn

 

 

 

Unaswered questions by Scottish Salmon Watch to Benchmark include:

 

From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Tue, Mar 17, 2020 at 11:14 AM
Subject: Imidacloprid – environmental assessment documents & briefings?
To: Rachel Aninakwah <rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.com>
 
Rachel,
 
Do you have copies of any environmental assessment documents prepared by Benchmark relating to Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan/D10 Aquatic Blast)?
 
When Schering Plough were preparing to launch SLICE (Emamectin benzoate) in the late 1990s they organised various briefing meetings with NGOs and other stakeholders.
 
Is Benchmark preparing to brief stakeholders on the use of Imidacloprid via CleanTreat?
 
You may be interested in:
 
 
 
Best fishes,
 
Don

 

 

From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 at 10:20
To: Rachel Aninakwah <rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.com>
Subject: Field trials of Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan) in Scotland?

Rachel,

Could you please provide details of any field trials of Imidacloprid (BMK08/Ectosan) in Scottland?

I understand that in March this year Mowi asked SEPA to support a field trial at Ardnish in Loch Ailort.

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

And Tweeted via https://twitter.com/TheGAAIA/status/1263009166462984192

Would it be possible to arrange a site visit to monitor the field trial (once lockdown permits)?

Your email in January stated that: "The CleanTreat system is demobilised until further trials are planned so we are unable to offer a visit at this time."

Presumably trials are now back on?  Where and when did trials take place prior to January 2020?

Thanks,

Don

 

 

From: Don Staniford <salmonfarmingkills@gmail.com>
Date: Mon, Apr 19, 2021 at 9:44 AM
Subject: Imidacloprid MRL "ratified under EU Law"
To: Rachel Aninakwah <rachel.aninakwah@bmkholdings.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 <mailservice@euroland.com>
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+CleanTreat Update

Ratification of Maximum Residue Limit under European Law

Significant milestone towards the commercialisation of BMK08 and CleanTreat

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 CleanTreat in Norway. The commercial launch remains subject to the grant of a Marketing Authorisation in Norway.  

BMK08 and CleanTreat 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 CleanTreat  announced in March.

Sea lice continues to be the biggest biological challenge for salmon producers and Benchmark's novel solution addresses this challenge in a sustainable way both in terms of animal welfare and environmental impact."

Enquiries:

Benchmark Holdings plc

Tel: 020 3696 0630

Ivonne Cantu, Investor Relations Director

  

Rachel Aninakwah, Communications

  
   

Numis (Broker and NOMAD)

Tel: 020 7260 1000

James Black / Freddie Barnfield / Duncan Monteith

  
   

MHP

  

Katie Hunt /Alistair de Kare-Silver     

Tel: 020 3128 8742                           

benchmark@mhpc.com

About Benchmark 

Benchmark's mission is to enable aquaculture producers to improve their sustainability and profitability.

We bring together biology and technology, to develop innovative products which improve yield, quality and animal health and welfare for our customers. We do this by improving the genetic make-up, health and nutrition of their stock – from broodstock and hatchery through to nursery and grow out.

Benchmark has a broad portfolio of products and solutions, including salmon eggs, live feed (Artemia), diets and probiotics and sea lice treatments. Find out more at www.benchmarkplc.com

 
 
 
 
 

Here's a list of Benchmark's significant shareholders (as of 18 May 2021):

 

Benchmark shareholders May 2021

 

 

Here's Benchmark's PLC Board:

 

Benchmark PLC Board as of 18 May 2011

 

 

And here's Benchmark's Operations Board:

 

Benchmark Operations Board as of 18 May 2021

 

 

Intrafish reported in September 2020 that Benchmark's largest shareholder (Ferd) had upped its financial stake in Leroy Seafood (co-owner of Scottish Sea Farms) and Grieg Seafood.

 

Ferd #1

 

 

Intrafish reported in May 2020:

 

Ferd #2

 

 

 

Benchmark's largest shareholder used to be called Tiedemanns Tobaksfabrik, a tobacco producer.

 

Ferd #5

 

 

Benchmark's second largest shareholder is also Norwegian-controlled and fresh-faced.  Intrafish reported in December 2020:

 

Ferd #3

 

Ferd #4

 

 

Kverva – Benchmark's second largest shareholder – is the largest shareholder in SalMar.

 

Kverva #1

 

 

 

SalMar co-owns Norskott Havbruk (Scottish Sea Farms) with Leroy.

 

Kverva #2

 

 

So expect Norwegian-owned Scottish Sea Farms, Norwegian-owned Mowi, Norwegian-owned Grieg Seafood and Norwegian/Faroese-owned The Scottish Salmon Company to be first in line to use Imidacloprid in Scotland.  A Freedom of Information disclosure by the Scottish Government reveals that in April 2019, the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy met with "four key Scottish salmon producers" interested in using Benchmark's CleanTreat technology. 

 

Fergus Ewing meeting four key salmon producers April 2019

 

 

In May 2020, Scottish Salmon Watch revealed that Mowi had lobbied the Scottish Environment Protection Agency for a field trial in Loch Ailort prompting concern from the Scottish Greens.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An email disclosed by the Scottish Government via FOI in May 2021 suggests that Norskott Havbruk (Scottish Sea Farms) could be the first to apply for the use of Imidacloprid (BMK08) in 2021.

 

SSF CleanTreat Feb 2021

 

 

 

A letter/email from the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (which includes Scottish Sea Farms, Mowi, The Scottish Salmon Company, Grieg Seafood, Loch Duart, Cooke Aquaculture, Loch Duart and Organic Sea Harvest) to SEPA in May 2019 – disclosed via FOI – expressed support for field trials of "novel lice treatment methods" via CleanTreat.

 

SSPO SEPA letter May 2019 #1

SSPO SEPA letter May 2019 #2

 

 

Read more via:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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