Reuters: Greek Farmers Use Illegal Chinese Pesticides

With the cost of insecticides, weedkillers, and fungicides on the rise, Greek farmers are resorting to cheaper, but riskier, alternative pesticides imported illegally from China, Reuters reports.

Citing tens of farmers in the region of Thessaly in central Greece, Reuters reports that while these alternative products, mainly obtained in unlabeled plastic bottles, are more effective, they pose a serious threat to public health.

Based on laboratory analyses, Reuters notes these illegal substances contain chemical elements that have been banned in the European Union (EU) for years.

The phenomenon in Greece is indicative of a wider problem also impacting other countries in the EU, the report underlines, quoting farmers, elected officials, competent authorities, and professionals in the pesticide industry.

At least 14% of pesticides currently used in the European Union are illegal, up from around 10% in 2015, according to new data from the European Crop Protection Association.

In certain regions of Greece, the situation is even more alarming, with illegal pesticide use reaching as high as 25%, according to the Hellenic Crop Protection Association (HCPA), which represents agrochemical companies.

A record quantity of 2,040 tons of illegal pesticides was seized across Europe in 2022 — the latest year for which Europol has data — marking a fourfold increase compared to 2019.

Authorities in Greece, France, Germany, and Spain warn that the true scale of the problem is likely far greater than official figures suggest, as a large proportion of illicit trade goes undetected.

“This has been a long-standing concern,” a spokesperson for the European Commission told Reuters in response to the findings.

While the responsibility for enforcement lies with individual member states, the Commission is working to expedite the approval of new, safer pesticide formulations that would help farmers reduce their reliance on black-market products.

Greek Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras emphasized that Greece is actively working to protect public health, support farmers, and promote safe and legal agricultural practices.

“Combating illegality is a top priority for us,” the minister stated.

Source: tovima.com