Massive bee colony poisoning by Fipronil in SW France - 2002 and 2003

This explanation is most interesting and definitely not the end of the story. And please do not
confuse with Imidacloprid(e)

Any faults in the translation are unintentional and the translation to be used only as a guide !!!
Further information I presume may be obtained from the Gov't Departments and Companies involved.

Translation by P. Dillon. from original French language.


Unofficial Translation of a Press Communication given by:


 Ministère de l'Agriculture, de l'Alimentation,
 de la Pêche et des Affaires Rurales

(Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Fisheries and of Rural Affairs) FRANCE

Paris,  4th. september 2003

Bee Deaths in Midi-Pyrénées (France) - Inquiry results.

In April 2003, a sudden occurrence of honey bee moralities was noticed by the officers of the
regional Service for Protection of Vegetation in 7 apiaries in six parishes in the Midi-Pyrénées
area of France. The first analytical results  based on six samples of bees indicated levels of
Fipronil and one of its metabolites varying from 2.1?g/kg to 14.3 ?g/kg. Conclusions were drawn in a
report dated 06/05/2003, that suggested if the levels of Fipronil and its metabolites found caused
the deaths of the bees - the scenario realising the exposure of the bees to the insecticide must be
investigated.

The DGA put in place an investigation of "post authorisation" which was carried out during the
summer of 2003 - i.e. a study of field conditions in which the products containing the insecticides
were employed. This investigated the levels of material released during the use of pneumatic
seeders.
The trial results and analyses of this investigation are made public today.
Examinations undertaken by the "Commission d'étude de la toxicité" indicate that some pneumatic
seeders allow for the levels of Fipronil observed in bee deaths following the planting of Sunflower
seed in the region of Midi-Pyrénées in April 2003.
A specific variety of seed was submitted to an industrial procedure in a factory of Syngenta seeds -
it being the origin of the contamination via volatile particles originating from the seeder
equipment.

The DGL  has already notified Syngenta Seeds of its intention to prohibit the procedure and use of
lots already treated.
This decision has equally been sent to BASF who comercialise Fipronil in France. As well, the French
seed coating factories will be before the next season subjected to specific tests to verify the
quality of their industrial procedures.

It is the first time that a link has been established between a crop of treated seed covered with a
phytosanitary product and a massive bee death. These facts indicate the importance attached, not
only to the intrinsic characteristics of products at the moment of their authorisation, but to the
different methods in which they are employed.

Conforming to the engagements of the Ministry the studies will continue and hopefully explain other
bee deaths on other types of crop and at other different vegetative stages
......

Press Contact :

Stéphane VAXELAIRE (DGAL) - tel : +33 (0)1 49 55 58 39

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
-- Visit www.honeybeeworld.com/BEE-L for rules, FAQ and  other info ---
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::