Watch Out! for illegal pesticides at Cereals 2014
Crop Protection Association
Attendees at this year’s Cereals event are being encouraged to keep their eyes open for the Watch Out! for illegal pesticides campaign logo. The logo will be displayed around the site along with campaign literature containing advice for farmers and growers on the simple precautions they should take to minimise the risks of buying and using illegal pesticides.
Watch Out! for illegal pesticides is the message of a year long, nationwide, industry campaign launched to raise awareness of the risks of illegal pesticides. The campaign is supported by the Voluntary Initiative and Red Tractor Assurance, with funding from the Crop Protection Association, National Farmers Union and Agricultural Industries Confederation.
Trade in illegal pesticides, involving organised criminal gangs, is increasing around the world. These illegal pesticides are untested and uncontrolled and therefore may contain inferior or even dangerous and banned substances. Their use could endanger the health of sprayer operators, deprive farmers of their Single Farm Payment and farm assured status, result in crop failure or rejection, create environmental risks to wildlife soil and water and even lead to prosecution.
Farmers, operators and agronomists are being urged to help guard against these illegal pesticides and are advised to:
• Buy only known and reputable pesticides from known and reputable suppliers.
• Check that packaging is professional, tamper proof and securely sealed and it has a full label written in English.
• Check the product on the invoice and delivery note matches the product ordered and delivered.
• Check that the product looks as expected.
• Ensure “parallel import” products are genuine - ask for confirmation of the company that made the product and the country it came from.
• Report suspicious products and suppliers to the Defra helpline – 08459 33 55 77 (calls charged at a local rate).
Richard Butler, Voluntary Initiative (VI) Chairman, said:
“Cereals is the premier arable farming event and we’re delighted to be promoting the Watch Out! campaign and responsible pesticide use alongside all the other exciting stands and displays. As every farmer, operator and agronomist knows responsible pesticide use starts with using an approved product and following the information on the label and the advice of a BASIS registered agronomist. It is really sad that farmers now have to be aware of the danger posed by unscrupulous professional counterfeiters who want to undermine the professionalism and competence of UK farmers and sprayer operators”.
