Russian police have discovered a major pesticide counterfeiting facility in the city of Kursk containing up to 100 tonnes of illegal pesticide products at a market value of €1m.
According to the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA), most of the products discovered were illegal copies of patented and branded products from major global manufacturers, and were pre-packed for commercial sale.
'No-one can be sure what these products contain, said Rocky Rowe, anti-counterfeit project leader for the ECPA. 'Counterfeit and illegal pesticide products are completely untested and can contain toxic impurities and contaminants as well as dangerous solvents and other materials.'
In addition, the police uncovered packaging and labelling equipment in an adjacent building indicating that the products were manufactured in China, with police believing that the pesticides were headed for nearby Ukraine, the ECPA said.
'The criminals who manufacture and distribute them have no scruples about the safety of farmers and ultimately consumers, and are there to make a quick profit at everyone's expense,' Mr Rowe added.
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