Worldwide counterfeiting of pesticides. . .

A growing global problem, counterfeit pesticides threaten the health of farmers and consumers, as well as damage crops and wreck havoc on the environment. In Europe, abundant regulations cannot be enforced, leading to a "dramatic increase in illegal, counterfeit pesticides" there. In some areas, 25% or more of the market is estimated to be counterfeit. In China 30% of the pesticide market is counterfeit. Few controls are in place in China for the manufacture and export of active substances. That means counterfeit products reach markets around the world. "Three main areas of illegal activity" illustrate that packaging plays a role in this problem: "Fakes," contain anything including water or talc, or outdated stock containing banned substances. Fakes are often sold in individual packages with plain containers and minimal labeling. "Counterfeits" are "sophisticated copies" of name brands that replicate high-quality labeling and packaging of the products they are imitating. "Illegal parallel imports" are substituted for legitimate products and are repackaged, "compromising the products' integrity" and allowing contamination and inferior product to enter the marketplace.

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