Don't fall victim to counterfeit pesticides

When it comes to counterfeit and illegal pesticides, we must all be vigilant says Laura Buckingham, Arable Manager, Fram Farmers.

The global trade in counterfeit and illegal pesticides is estimated by the European Crop Protection Association at US$6.5 billion. In China and India such products account for 30% of the market, in Europe it is 7-10%, and with legal pesticides essential to the farming industry we must all be vigilant.

Suppliers are criminals who use the huge profits to fund more illegal activities. The counterfeit and illegal pesticides they sell are unauthorised, unregulated, untested and potentially pose severe risks to the health of farmers and sprayer operators. They may damage or destroy crops, leave unknown residues in food leading to criminal proceedings, jeopardise SPS entitlements, pose risks to wildlife, water and soil, and cause environmental waste problems.

Such products threaten the entire value chain. Legitimate manufacturers lose €1.3 billion annually from this illegal trade, pesticide retailers and distributors suffer loss of reputation and business, growers and farmers are exposed to significant risks, food companies lose supplies and trust, while food security is reduced. No-one wins except the criminals.

While the Fram Farmers Arable Team source products at competitive prices, protecting members’ interests by ensuring that what we purchase is genuine, and complies fully with relevant legislation, is a given. Therefore, we applaud the efforts of legitimate manufacturers and distributors to police this issue and work together to address it.

If you are offered pesticides at a significant discount, remember that if a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

ZERO-TOLERANCE APPROACH

Bayer CropSciences’ Channel Marketing Manager – Combineables, Nick Duncan, told us:

The checks and balances in place throughout the UK supply industry mean that counterfeit and illegal pesticides are not a big issue here, but occasionally they do appear in the market. To minimise risk, farmers should know what to look for, be vigilant and only deal with reputable suppliers.

“Authentic crop protection products undergo intensive testing and strict regulatory evaluation, which guarantees high-quality formulations that contribute towards sustainable agriculture.

“Counterfeit goods are fake items, deliberately made to look genuine. They mimic original legitimate branded products, usually with high-quality labelling and packaging which reproduces the outer appearance of the originals, but are an unknown quantity in terms of quality, biological efficacy and safety to human and crop health. Their content ranges from very good copies of the original active ingredient to colourants and inert materials which are ineffective.

“Bayer takes a zero-tolerance position towards illegal activities, and has a global strategy to efficiently combat counterfeit and illegal crop protection products. We are driving activities to combat their production and distribution, apply a strict policy with our business partners and expect their full support in fighting illegal activity. We support authorities worldwide with services and intelligence, as well as raising awareness and providing training.”

To help farmers and distributors to distinguish original Bayer crop protection products from counterfeits, the company developed the Bayer CapSeal App, a highly sophisticated, interactive app for Apple or Android platforms. In addition to a hologram, the CapSeal contains a QR-code which, when scanned using the CapSeal App, provides immediate feedback regarding the code’s authenticity. Moreover, an unbroken CapSeal indicates that the bottle was originally closed by Bayer.

DO YOUR DUE DILIGENCE

Tom McHale, Anti-Counterfeit and Food Chain Leader–EMEA, Corteva Agriscience, states:

“Criminals see counterfeit and illegal pesticide products as an easy way to make money; the chances of detection are low and if caught the punishment does not fit the crime. The sophisticated ones realise that if customers are offered products at prices which are dramatically lower, that is likely to raise a red flag, so they make them financially attractive but not so low as to raise suspicions. Always be on your guard, carry out due diligence and check that what you are buying has the correct provenance.

“In the UK the level of responsibility amongst distributors and farmers is very high, but with farm profitability under pressure criminals are looking to exploit any vulnerability. Their main route to market is illegal parallel products, so we encourage awareness throughout the supply chain to prevent the entry of such products. Trade in legal parallel products is permitted under EU free trade agreements, so legitimate parallel traders as well as manufacturers are damaged by those trading in illegal products.

AWARENESS IS ESSENTIAL

Julian Fairhead, National Key Account Manager, Syngenta UK Ltd, adds:

“In the UK the issue of counterfeit or illegal products is an undercurrent, but hard to pick up because the market is dynamic and the time between products entering the country and being used is relatively short. Most of the issues we come across are with products which purport to be parallel products but are not true parallel products, which must meet very specific criteria.

Counterfeit or illegal pesticides tend to be offered at prices which are quite a bit cheaper than genuine products, a big red flag. If a product is offered by a non-authorised distributor ask lots of questions, insist on a product label, Safety Data Sheet and proper invoice.

Check carefully what is being delivered: does the product ‘look right’ and is the ‘English’ on the label to a high standard? Check the quality of the packaging, whether it is properly sealed and whether a hologram is present, as many genuine manufacturers now incorporate them into packaging to help protect against counterfeiting.

Counterfeit products can differ in their formulation, so blocked sprayer nozzles, poor application quality or lack of efficacy could indicate that things are not quite what they seem. If you doubt whether a genuine Syngenta product has been supplied, call the Syngenta UK Technical Helpline (0800 169 6058).

Farmers need to understand that buying non-genuine products represents a significant potential risk to their business, health and the environment. Any financial saving is likely to be small compared with the amount they have invested in their crops.

Buying genuine products from R&D-based manufacturers ensures that the agricultural industry continues to benefit from products which have been thoroughly tested, provide full traceability, maximum efficacy and expert technical support. It is also vital to support UK manufacturing and R&D, which is crucial to fund the pipeline of new plant protection products, seed varieties, new developments such as hybrid wheats, new innovations such as bio-control techniques and stewardship initiatives which deliver sustainable agriculture.”

Further information from Laura Buckingham: Call 01728 727712 or email Laura.Buckingham@framfarmers.co.uk

Tips to protect yourself from counterfeit pesticides

• Buy only known and reputable crop protection products from known and reputable suppliers.

• Check the accreditation (e.g. BASIS) of advisers recommending and/or supplying products.

• Always question unrealistic prices.

• Check that the product on the invoice and delivery note matches the product ordered and delivered.

• Check that packaging is professional, tamper-proof and securely sealed, with a full label in English.

• Check the colour and appearance of the product are as expected.

• In order to qualify for a parallel import permit, a product must be:

1. Authorised for sale and use in the EU country from which it is purchased, and…

2. Identical to one that is already authorised for sale and use in the UK.

• Check the label for details of the producer, approval holder and official authorisation on: http:/secure.pesticides.gov.uk/ pestreg/ProdSearch.asp