Monday, June 23, 2008

Expert hearing in Karlsruhe

Bayer CropScience: Clothianidin is safe to bees when correctly applied
Beekeepers to receive non-bureaucratic financial assistance / Quality assurance system in preparation
Karlsruhe, June 23, 2008 – “Seed treatments are one of the most targeted and environmentally friendly forms to apply crop protection products. We regret the recent bee losses and the situation they have created for the beekeepers in Baden-Württemberg”, emphasized Dr. Hans-Josef Diehl, Head of Development and Registration at Bayer CropScience Deutschland GmbH during an expert hearing on bee losses in Karlsruhe.

Together with the State of Baden-Württemberg, Bayer CropScience is offering assistance to beekeepers affected by the recent bee losses in Southwest Germany. Once the exact damage has been ascertained, financial resources will be made available immediately via the Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs to avoid situations which could threaten beekeeping operations. This non-bureaucratic help is being offered on a voluntary basis. The amount in question is being calculated by experts on behalf of the Ministry.

In the meantime it is now certain that the regionally confined bee losses reported at the beginning of May were due to a combination of different factors. Abrasion from a number of incorrectly treated maize seed batches had caused dust to be blown into the surrounding area during sowing. The emissions were reinforced by the use of certain types of pneumatic maize sowing machines in combination with strong winds. As soon as the incident was reported, Bayer CropScience worked to clarify the matter in cooperation with the competent authorities and gave the Ministry its support throughout the investigations.

http://www.bayercropscience.com/BCSW...id/20080623_EN