Hi Bob and All,
I can confirm that Apistan has ALWAYS, ALWAYS been made from
tau-fluvalinate. The name change from fluvalinate to tau-fluvalinate was
adopted more widely in the 1990's by international decree but the
"fluvalinate" used in the very first Apistan strips made out of Zoecon in
Dallas in the late 1980's was what is now named tau-fluvalinate. Nothing has
changed there, except the name.
There are two formulations of Apistan; the one used in North America is
based on a different plastic to that used in Europe. This is a historic
thing, the plasticizer used in Europe not being registered in North America
and the plasticiser used in the North American formulation not being
registered in Europe. The tau-fluvalinate and technology used is exactly the
same for both products.
Racemic fluvalinate has NEVER, EVER been used in Apistan, even from the
start. We have only used tau-fluvalinate.
Zoecon became part of Sandoz and when Sandoz and Ciba-Geigy merged to form
Novartis in 1997, the Zoecon/Sandoz animal section in Dallas was sold to
Central Garden & Pet Company and was renamed as Wellmark International, Inc.
As far as Apistan is concerned, the manufacturing plant, processes and
largely the people, remain today as they always have done, in Dallas.
Company name changes only.
I was the Technical Manager for Zoecon Europe and after the merger and
formation of Novartis, Novartis sold the honeybee business section to my
business partner Jeremy Owen, and me in a Management Buy-out. Our company is
Vita (Europe) Limited and Jeremy and I are both Owner/Directors. We own the
rights to Apistan worldwide, except for North America, where Wellmark have
the rights.
Wellmark manufacture Apistan for their own area of North America and they
also manufacture Apistan on behalf of Vita (Europe) Ltd for everywhere else.
We import it as bulk product, process it according to veterinary legislation
(Apistan is a veterinary medicine in most places) and we market through our
distributors in about 60 countries.
As we have worked together for so many years, Vita and the people at
Wellmark have a good relationship but Vita is an independent company, it is
not a part of Zoecon or Wellmark (or of anyone else).
Apistan aside, Vita developed Apiguard, which is now one of the most
successful varroa treatments worldwide. (But not currently, apparently, with
your EPA, for reasons entirely of their own - we've had two consignments
stuck in US customs for weeks, with no explanation forthcoming).
Vita specialises in honeybee health only and we now have several products
for bees, with others in development.
Hope this helps straighten a few things out.
All the best,
Max
Dr Max Watkins
Director
Vita (Europe) Limited
21/23 Wote Street
Basingstoke
Hampshire RG21 7NE
UK
Tel.: +44 (0)1256 473 177 Fax: +44 (0)1256 473 179
Mobile: +44 (0) 7767 815 370
e-mail: [log in to unmask]
web: http://www.vita-europe.com
Skype: maxwatkins
Registered office (not for mail):
Scarfe House, 15 Archery Fields, Odiham, Hants RG29 1AE, UK
Registered under Company Number 3328943
VAT Number: GB688 9774 37
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