Source: Agroagenda - SC, 03/07/2009

In the first semester, the police seized a volume of more than 8.000 kg of prohibited pesticides in the national territory. The data are from entities in the pesticide sector, which maintain a national awareness campaign on the dangers of illegal pesticides. In the accumulated of the last 12 months, the seized volume exceeds 40 tons - from the beginning of the national campaign, in 2001, until now, almost 360 tons of these products have been collected, and around 300 tons incinerated.

So far, 14 suspects have already been convicted in Brazil for involvement with illegal pesticides. Another 450 are indicted in investigations and are awaiting a ruling from the courts. According to entities in the pesticide industry, the worsening of the financial crisis may contribute to an increase in the circulation of illegal products, especially counterfeits. In general, criminals make use of the good reputation of well-known brands of the farmer, falsify packaging and active ingredients and market them at reduced prices. Recently, the Federal Police carried out in the city of Marau (RS), an operation called "Remote Control", dismantling a gang specialized in the smuggling of cigarettes and pesticides. In this first semester, the police also seized representative counterfeit products in the cities of Ribeirão Preto (SP), Sinop and Várzea Grande (MT), Mamborê and Cascavel, both in PR and Passo Fundo and Santa Maria (RS).

Seven years ago, it was estimated that the circulation of illegal pesticides brought losses in the order of R $ 70 million to R $ 100 million, considering losses from companies and tax evasion. Today, this indicator is close to R $ 500 million. The offenses of production, transportation, purchase, sale and use of smuggled or pirated pesticides are included in the Environmental Crimes Law (Law No. 9605, of February 12, 1988), Contraband or Misdemeanor (Article 334 of the Penal Code), Law Pesticides (Law 7.802 / 89) and Tax Evasion Crime.

Hotline - The national campaign against illegal pesticides maintains a Hotline service (DD), created to support the action of the authorities, which has already received almost 11 calls. The number is 0800-940-7030 and the call is free. The complaints are passed on directly to the police authorities. DD calls have been responsible for the good results of the campaign. The DD does not use call identifiers or "binas" and does not ask the whistleblower to identify himself - the complaint is anonymous.

More information:
www.sindag.com.br

Source: Sindag