A new industry campaign is urging farmers to Watch Out! for illegal pesticides.

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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.

Launched on 17th January 2014, at Kings College London, the new campaign is urging farmers to make themselves aware of the risks posed by illegal pesticides.

Trade in illegal pesticides is increasing around the world and, according to the EU's crime surveillance office, may involve organised criminal gangs. 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.

In October, concern over the import of illegal pesticides into the UK was aroused after an unidentified arable farmer raised concerns over a replacement pesticide supplied by their buying group. The farmer sent the product – post-emergence grass herbicide propaquizafop (trade name Falcon) – for testing after becoming suspicious that it could be a counterfeit parallel import.

Farmers, operators and agronomists are being urged to help guard against these illegal pesticides and, under the new campaign, 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.
• 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, commented on Friday, "As every farmer, operator and agronomist knows responsible pesticide use starts with using an approved product and following the information on the label. 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."

Chris Mawdsley, Head of Compliance for HSE's Chemicals Regulation Directorate added, "Pesticides are carefully regulated to protect human health and the environment. HSE and other regulators will work together to take robust action against those who break the law on pesticides and unnecessarily put themselves and others at risk."