anti-counterfeit pesticides (booklet)
DESCRIPTION
Stop the dangerous trade in illegal pesticides.TRANSCRIPT
The global trade in fake pesticides is increasing year after year, presenting very real dangers to human health, the environment and the economy.
It is time for Europe to wake up and take collective action to stamp out the trade.
TIME TO WAKE UP TO
THE ILLEGAL TRADE IN
FAKE PESTICIDES
THEY’RE OUT THERE...
WHY SHOULD I BE CONCERNED?
Counterfeit and illegal products endanger us all. These products are not registered for commercial sale in
Europe and do not conform to the strict regulatory quality standards set by the European Union.
Illegal pesticides present a serious threat to crops, farmers’ livelihoods, the
environment, and consumer and farmer health.
The trade in fake pesticides often involves organised
criminal gangs – and therefore supports
criminal activity and the black economy of Europe.
Increasing quantities of fake pesticides are being produced, marketed and sold around the world. Advances in technology along with relaxed trade laws facilitate the spread of fake pesticides.
Fake pesticides come in several forms:
WHAT ARE FAKE PESTICIDES?
Sophisticated counterfeit copies of branded and patented products, with the same labelling and packaging.
Low quality copies,
often with plain
or no labelling,
unregistered and
untested.
Illegal parallel imported products masquerading as legitimate but containing inferior materials.
THEY’RE OUT THERE...
WHO IS TACKLING THIS PROBLEM?
The European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) is working to increase awareness of the problem and to improve legislation controlling their import and use across Europe. ECPA regularly collaborates with customs and enforcement agencies around Europe.
Over the past year several major fake pesticide rackets have been broken, with those involved subject to financial penalties and prison sentences. Targeted operations to break fake pesticide rings are currently underway across Europe.
WHAT CAN I DO?
Don’t accept fake pesticides. If you have suspicions about the nature of products you receive, report these to your distributor or the relevant local authority or agency.If you live in Italy, Spain or Greece you can report your concern via the fake pesticides hotlines.
5-7 % of Europe’s plant protection
products are illegal. This number is increasing year
after year.
An estimated
€ 21-30 million
in
tax revenues i
s lost
annually beca
use of
this trade.
For more information, please contact:
ECPA aisbl6 Avenue E. Van Nieuwenhuyse 1160 Brussels - Belgium
Tel: Fax:E-mail:Website:
+32 2 663 15 50 +32 2 663 15 [email protected]
www.illegalpesticides.eu
WHAT CAN WE DO TO STAM
P OUT
THE TRADE IN ILLEGAL P
ESTICIDES?
Take it seriously and adju
st legislation
to help customs investigat
ion and
enforcement. Plug the loop
holes!
**/\\-**
Communicate the danger w
idely, so
farmers, distributors, pub
lic and media
pay attention.
*///***
Work together to provide t
he means
to stimulate collaboration
and
action amongst farmers, su
pply chain,
authorities and industry.
The annual mar
ket of
counterfeit an
d illegal
plant protecti
on
products is est
imated
at € 700 milli
on – this
might just be
the tip of
the iceberg.