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12 arrested and 5 tonnes of product confiscated as police sweep Andalucia, for illegal pesticides
Spain
Saturday 10 January 2009
In a bid to stem criminal use of illegal pesticides, Spanish environmental police, Seprona, and Andalucian local authorities arrested 12 people and confiscated over 5 tonnes of illegal product.
Almost one hundred southern Spanish establishments selling pesticides have been inspected in the last two months by Seprona, the Spanish environmental police, and technical experts from Andalucian local authorities, Junta de Andalucia, as part of a crackdown on illegal pesticides. The inspections have lead to 92 charges, demonstrating that illegal products remain in the distribution chain, jeopardizing food safety and threatening public health and the reputation of Spanish food production.
A dozen owners of pesticide distribution centres have been arrested, after illegal pesticides were found in their warehouses. These illegal pesticides included products considered unsafe for the environment and human health. Almost 5 tonnes and 2,200 litres of these products were confiscated in the raids.
In addition to the inspection of warehouses, “in situ” checks of growers to verify the correct usage of pesticides have been carried out, looking at both the product used and the way the crop is sprayed. Fruit and vegetable samples have also been taken from fields to verify whether farmers have sprayed their crops with illegal pesticides. Labels and containers have been traced to authenticate their source. Investigations are ongoing to determine the origins of the products and, when finalised, further action may be taken.
Rocky Rowe, European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) Anti-counterfeit campaign manager, says that “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. These inspections safeguard the European food chain, human health and the environment.
A dozen owners of pesticide distribution centres have been arrested, after illegal pesticides were found in their warehouses. These illegal pesticides included products considered unsafe for the environment and human health. Almost 5 tonnes and 2,200 litres of these products were confiscated in the raids.
In addition to the inspection of warehouses, “in situ” checks of growers to verify the correct usage of pesticides have been carried out, looking at both the product used and the way the crop is sprayed. Fruit and vegetable samples have also been taken from fields to verify whether farmers have sprayed their crops with illegal pesticides. Labels and containers have been traced to authenticate their source. Investigations are ongoing to determine the origins of the products and, when finalised, further action may be taken.
Rocky Rowe, European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) Anti-counterfeit campaign manager, says that “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. These inspections safeguard the European food chain, human health and the environment.
