Europol warns of growing trade in illegal pesticides

Recommendations have been put forward by experts encouraging a “comprehensive response” to the growing problem of the illegal trade of counterfeit pesticides across the continent which is costing billions of pounds.

Europol has identified a growth in the trade of illegal and counterfeit pesticides as a result of the exceptional ‘low risk-high profit’ margin, combined with the lack of harmonisation in legislation and implementation, which has ensured a rapid rise in the crime with organised crime groups across Europe now playing a part.

Illegal pesticides and their significant use have been detected across Europe and North East Europe in particular has been targeted by the criminal networks involved in this activity. According to Europol, more than 25 per cent of the pesticides in circulation in some EU member states are estimated to originate from the illegal pesticide market. Their use can have potentially devastating effects on the health of farmers and consumers, as well as posing a serious risk to the natural environment.

In addition, there is a risk that illegal pesticides can be used as precursors for home made explosives due to the lack of traceability.

The trade in illegal and counterfeit pesticides is believed to be organised by highly sophisticated criminal networks. In recent years, Europol says criminals have developed complex global supply chains and exploit legal companies to camouflage their activities. The global revenues associated with this crime are estimated to be billions of euros a year.

The impact it has spreads throughout Europe and member states are considerably affected by the significant risks to crops, and the toxic substances the illegal pesticides contain pose severe threats to the environment and public health.

In May last year, two multi-tonne shipments of illegal pesticides were intercepted in Eastern Europe containing substances banned in the EU for their endocrine disruptive properties.

A number of recommendations were put forward last week by Europol and national experts including:

•Development of a comprehensive picture of the existing legal framework governing the trade in pesticides in the EU and of the extent to which this illegal trade involves large organised crime groups;

•Cross-border investigations (including controlled deliveries and financial investigations) that exploit intelligence from joint operations, eg, during the ‘importing season’ of January/February, and enable the identification of high value targets through EU-level supply chain analysis, eg, performing key roles in production, export/import, logistics and wholesale;

•Adoption of a comprehensive response to address the wide spectrum of health and environmental threats associated with illegal pesticides through increased cooperation of law enforcement, other government agencies, in particular pesticide regulatory authorities, and private sector partners, eg, companies with a capability for analysing suspicious chemicals, as well as storing and destroying hazardous materials; and

•A study on improving the traceability of hazardous materials used in the illegal production of pesticides.