Canadian Beekeepers Sue Neonic Makers Bayer, Syngenta for C$450 Million

"Canadian beekeepers have filed a class action lawsuit against Bayer CropScience Inc. and Syngenta Canada Inc. claiming C$450 million ($414 million) in damages for negligence related to the use of neonicotinoid insecticides.

The lawsuit, which also names the firms' foreign parents—Germany-based Bayer AG and Switzerland-based Syngenta International AG—claims chronic effects of the use of neonicotinoid insecticides has led to damage including bee deaths, impaired reproduction, immune suppression, behavior abnormalities causing hive loss, reduced honey production and reduced honey quality.

No date has been set by the Ontario Superior Court of Justice for a hearing on whether the action should be certified under Ontario's Class Proceedings Act, Dimitri Lascaris, a partner with Siskinds LLP, the Windsor, Ontario law firm that filed the lawsuit, told Bloomberg BNA Sept. 4 in an e-mail."

Peter Menyasz reports for Bloomberg BNA's Chemical Regulation Reporter September 5, 2014.

SEE ALSO:

"Syngenta Asks EPA To Raise Tolerance Level for 'bee-Killing' Chemical" (Greenwire)

"Bee Deaths at Centre of Lawsuit By Honey Producers" (Toronto Star)

"Beekeepers File Suit Against Pesticide Makers Syngenta And Bayer" (Toronto Globe and Mail)