Rosselkhoznadzor Probes Bee Deaths in Argayashsky District

In the Argayashsky District of Chelyabinsk Oblast, a mass bee die-off has been recorded. According to local residents, over 100 bee colonies — about 5 million individuals — were affected. The owners of the hives suspect the cause to be chemicals used by farmers for crop treatment. Beekeepers have contacted Rosselkhoznadzor (Federal Service for Veterinary and Phytosanitary Surveillance) and the police.

After the news was published in the media, Rosselkhoznadzor launched an inspection. Specialists visited the fields where the treatment was supposedly carried out and took samples of rapeseed and soil. The samples were sent to the Chelyabinsk branch of the Federal State Budgetary Institution ‘All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Animal Health’ (VNIIZZh) for laboratory testing for pesticides and agrochemicals.

The department explained: “The department conducted on-site inspections of the supposed treatment areas, took samples of plant mass (rapeseed) and soil for residual pesticides and agrochemicals, and the collected samples were sent to the Chelyabinsk branch of VNIIZZh for laboratory testing.”

Based on the test results, it will be decided whether there are grounds for taking measures. According to the law, farmers are obliged to notify beekeepers in advance about field treatment. “Dissemination of information about pesticide use is provided through mass media (radio, print, electronic and other means of communication and communication) by persons planning the use of pesticides, no earlier than ten days and no later than five days before their use,” added the supervisory authority.

One method of notification is the “Beekeeper’s Portal” on the FGIS “Saturn”. This is an interactive map of pesticide use locations, where you can find out about planned treatments in real time. To search, you need to select a district or locality or use filters: period of application, work status, hazard class for humans and bees. Registration is not required, the information is available to any user.