Ministry of Agriculture closes clandestine fertilizer and pesticide company in São Paulo

Upon receiving a complaint through 'Fala BR' from the Ministry of Agriculture (Mapa), inspectors from the regional unit of Araraquara (SP) went to two addresses in the city where there was suspicion of the manufacture of clandestine fertilizers and pesticides. Upon arriving at one of the locations, Mapa servers found a printing shop. In the other, the gate was closed and a person working there refused to open it. With support from the Military Police, the employee agreed to comply with the inspection. 

Inside the company, inspectors found that the establishment was not registered on Mapa for the production of fertilizers and pesticides, in addition to not presenting the required environmental license. All the equipment necessary for the production of agricultural inputs was found, as well as raw materials and a large quantity of packaging and labels. 

Without registration, the company is considered clandestine. In total, 17.590 liters of liquid fertilizers, 6.225 kilos of solid fertilizers, 500 empty packaging and 1.140 liters of biological pesticide were found. All products were seized and activities were cautiously suspended.  

The seized products cannot be moved without authorization from Mapa until the administrative tax processes are judged, both in the fertilizer and pesticide areas. The company will be able to present its defense and, at trial, the destination of the products and possible penalties will be decided.  

In view of the irregularities found, the inspection and seizure of raw materials and finished products were drawn up. The company was also ordered to present the invoices for the entry and exit of the goods and prove regularization before the competent bodies. 

Risk for agriculture

According to inspectors, clandestine fertilizer and pesticide companies represent a great risk to agriculture due to their lack of origin. As they are beyond inspection control, they can produce inputs without guarantee of quality and effectiveness, which can cause physiological imbalance in plants. There is also a risk of products containing biological contaminants or heavy metals, in the case of fertilizers, and toxicological problems for human health, animals and the environment, in the case of pesticides.  

The action was based on item II of article 26 of Federal Law 14.515/22 for violating articles 5 and 8 of Federal Decree 4.954/2004, amended by Federal Decree 8.384/2014, Mapa Normative Instruction 53/2013 (fertilizers) and Federal Law 14.785/23 (pesticides).