A series of checks and inspections at nearly 100 different locations in southern Spain by environmental police and technical experts has led to the discovery of 5 tonnes of counterfeit pesticides and the arrests of 12 owners of distribution centres.
Seprona, the Spanish environmental police force, signalled its intent to reduce the number of illegal pesticides on the market by sweeping Andalucia, discovering a number of sites where illegal substances were being stored in warehouses.
According to the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA), the pesticides discovered contained products considered unsafe for the environment and human health.
'The Spanish operation against illegal pesticides shows that when enforcement authorities, police and industry work together, the results are positive – stamping out illegal products is possible,' said Rocky Rowe, anti-counterfeit campaign manager at the ECPA. 'These inspections safeguard the European food chain, human health and the environment.'
Additionally, a series of checks on growers have been carried out to ensure that pesticide usage is correctly administered, with fruit and vegetable samples taken for laboratory verification.
'The European Crop Protection Association encourages ALL European national and local administrations to adopt the Spanish tactics in the fight against illegal pesticides,' Mr Rowe added.
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