A recent event designed to bring together nations keen to fight against the spread of illegal, counterfeit pesticides reached the verdict that coordinated EU action is required if the problem is to be contained and eliminated.

During the 2nd International Conference on Counterfeit Plant Protection Products, which took place in Warsaw, Poland on 13 November, representatives discussed a number of topics and concluded that a further investigation into the impact of fake pesticides is 'urgently needed'.

Additionally, people present at the event said that EU and the European Commission must take a 'zero tolerance' approach to fighting the influx of fake pesticides, setting up a control mechanism at EU level to share information and best practice, leading to the development of common anti-counterfeit activities.

'The overwhelming interest from almost all European countries in the issue confirmed what we already knew – that the problem is increasing everywhere and that concerted action is urgently needed,' said Michal Fogg, head of the Polish Crop Protection Association and conference co-host. 'We are proud that in Poland we are at the forefront of convincing the appropriate departments and services, and now even countries, to work together to protect farmers, consumers and the environment.'

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