Pesticide responsible for bee mortality
The Bern cantonal police have determined what was behind a bee death in mid-May in Zäziwil BE: plant protection products were to blame.
The Environmental Crime and Occupational Safety Unit of the Bern Cantonal Police has completed its investigation into a bee death in Zäziwil in mid-May 2016. These investigations revealed that the improper application of a plant protection product had led to the death of several bee colonies. The suspected culprit was also identified in the course of the investigation.
The 37-year-old man was proven to have discharged the pesticide. He will have to answer to the courts for violations of the Environmental Protection Act, the Agriculture Act and the Chemicals Act.
After it was discovered in mid-May 2016 that several bee colonies had died in Zäziwil, a task force consisting of the Bee Health Service, the Plant Protection Unit, the Veterinary Service and the Bern Cantonal Police was convened in accordance with the cantonal concept for dealing with bee poisoning. After initial investigations by the authorities involved, the suspicion that the bee death had been caused by poisoning was confirmed. Subsequently, the case was handed over to the cantonal police of Bern for further investigation, which is now reporting the case to the public prosecutor's office.
(Bern Cantonal Police)
