Billion-euro counterfeit pesticide trade puts lives in danger
The illegal and often toxic substances account for up to 25% of the products on the market in some countries.
Used to kill or control insects, plants and animals that threaten crop production, the legal product must be tested to prove they are safe.
Ireland is one of the few countries where the percentage of counterfeit pesticides on the market is unknown, according to a recent study. The Irish Farmers Association said they were not aware of the issue but generally advised their members to use reputable sources for their supplies.
The illegal products vary from containing very little of the active chemical to having a cocktail that can threaten human health, the environment and crops themselves.
They could affect the health of the farmers using them and pose a danger to consumers if they pass into the food chain and harm human health.
Two shipments seized last year in Germany and bound for Lithuania contained banned endocrine disrupters, dangerous especially for children and pregnant women.
Europol, the EU police body, has warned farmers and others to be aware of the dangers and called on EU and national authorities to investigate the trade more thoroughly, with a view to better controlling it.
The trade in the counterfeit pesticides is organised by highly sophisticated criminal networks. China is the biggest source of both counterfeit containers and labels, as well as the chemicals.
Criminals have developed complex global supply chains, and exploit legal companies to camouflage their activities, according to Europol.
Countries in north-east Europe in particular have been targeted by the criminal networks, Europol said.
But other countries, such as Spain, have also suffered from an influx of the counterfeit products and has had to launch major operations to cut off supplies.
Although legislation bans all but approved chemicals coming into the EU, counterfeit pesticides are not included due to a loophole in the law. As a result, 135 tonnes of illegal pesticides seized in Ukraine just over a year ago could not be held and destroyed and made their way back into the black market.
The European Crop Protection Association, representing the multi-national companies that manufacture legal pesticides, said the current law provided an open door for the entry of counterfeits.
