Last Thursday, upon receiving the report of the unusual mortality at the Tze’on site in the Upper Galilee, veterinary services personnel immediately arrived at the scene, documented the situation, and collected samples including bee carcasses, suspicious white powder found at the hive entrances, and swabs from affected equipment. Preliminary examination suggests a suspicion of intentional poisoning. It should be noted that the effect of the poison was amplified by a concentration of dead bees at the hive entrances, which blocked passage, thus trapping bees that did not die immediately within the hive, preventing them from exiting. The findings indicate that, apparently, there is no danger to other animals in the vicinity, as the site is relatively isolated.

The samples were transferred to the laboratories of the Veterinary Institute at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development for toxicological examination (poison testing). The examination revealed that the substance is an organophosphate, a pesticide lethal to bees. This substance has been prohibited for use as a pesticide on animals in Israel and Europe in recent years, due to its danger to both animals and humans.
Following the findings and the public health risk, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development ordered a ban on the marketing of honey from the hives and its destruction under the instruction of a government veterinarian. Concurrently, the possibility of destroying the hives themselves is also being examined, if pesticide residues are found after cleaning. The Ministry continues to work in cooperation with the Israel Police and the Ministry of Health to manage the incident and protect public health.
 

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

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