Innovative solution to improve honey bee health receives registration across Europe
MAQS®Beehive Strip granted marketing authorization for use in Germany, France, Italy, Spain and other countries.
New technology provides effective ways to protect honey bees from the Varroa mite.
Frankford/ Ontario, Canada and Limburgerhof, Germany – June 12, 2014 – NOD Apiary Products and BASF announced today that MAQS® Beehive Strip has received green light for commercialization in key European countries. This marks a significant milestone in the partnership between the two companies, as European beekeepers will now have access to an innovative solution for controlling the Varroa mite. The mite has been designated as one of the major threats for honey bee health.
“With this launch we are making major progress to bring to the market an effective solution that can significantly improve bee health,” said Jürgen Oldeweme, Senior Vice President Global Product Safety and Registration of BASF’s Crop Protection division. “By investing in novel technologies and partnering with an expert in beekeeping, like NOD, we want to ensure we protect the environment and also agriculture. Pollination is fundamental to grow our crops and only a healthy environment and biodiversity can foster sustainable agriculture.”
The innovative solution was developed by NOD Apiary Products, a company focused on providing solutions for honey bee protection. “The product is a result of several years of research and development,” said David VanderDussen, CEO of NOD Apiary Products. “NOD has a close business relationship with BASF, which enabled us to bring MAQS® Beehive Strip to the European market and also overcome a major technological barrier: It was possible to extend the release of formic acid from a specially-formulated saccharide gel. A vapor-wicking wrap made with BASF’s certified compostable polymer ecoflex® proved to be the solution.”
The treatment successfully targets the Varroa mite where they reproduce, arresting the transmission of viruses into the developing baby bee. The product uniquely controls the Varroa mite by harnessing the vapors of formic acid, which naturally occurs in honey. When bees are treated with MAQS® Beehive Strip there is no risk of unwanted residues in the honey or wax. “Helping beekeepers through the learning curve of adopting the new technology is instrumental in meeting the needs of beekeepers,” said VanderDussen.
“By ensuring a cooperation with beekeepers, farmers and other important stakeholders, we were able to leverage our experiences in research, registration and marketing and support NOD in making this innovative solution available to European beekeepers.”, concluded Oldeweme. The companies are confident that the commercialization of MAQS® Beehive Strip is a very positive step towards ensuring honey bees’ well-being.
The product is now registered in Bulgaria, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. It is already available in the UK, Hungary, New Zealand, Canada and USA, and registration is expected for additional European countries, such as Greece. The product will be marketed by NOD in all countries through authorized distributors. For more information on how to purchase the product in Europe, please visit the webpage of NOD Europe Ltd. (www.nodeurope.eu).
About NOD Apiary Products
NOD Apiary Products global family of companies was started by Canadian beekeepers in 1997. Honeybee health is our focus. NOD has been awarded the Premier's Award for Agri-Food Innovation Excellence, 2006, Innovation Project of the Year, 2008 and Agri Business of the Year, 2011.
The founders of NOD saw formic acid as the active ingredient most likely to be able to be developed into a practical, sustainable miticide for the beekeeping industry. Properly formulated, it could control the varroa and tracheal mites, protect the image of honey as a wholesome food, and leave no residues in the hive components. NOD’s formic acid applications and other beekeeping products have been available in the American and Canadian markets since 2005. Since 2008 NOD has been working towards registering their formic gel strips, MAQS, in Europe. In February 2013, NOD gained VMD Marketing Authorization for MAQS in the United Kingdom. NOD is now working towards gaining Mutual Recognition in a series of countries within the European Union. To find out more about the MAQS® Beehive Strip or the Mutual Recognition Process (MRP) visit our global website www.nodglobal.com.
About BASF’s Crop Protection division
With sales of more than €5.2 billion in 2013, BASF’s Crop Protection division provides innovative solutions in crop protection, seed treatment and biological control as well as solutions to manage water, nutrients and plant stress. Its portfolio also includes products for turf and ornamental plants, pest control and public health. BASF’s Crop Protection division is a leading innovator that supports growers to optimize agricultural production, improve their business efficiency and enhance the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.comor through our social media channels.
About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of about €74 billion in 2013 and over 112,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
Media Contacts:
Product information:
NOD Europe
Renate Wapenhensch
(Germany)
Tel. +49 6232 8158826
General information:
BASF Crop Protection
Jasmin Tortop
(Germany)
Tel.: +49 621 60 28412
P-14-260