An operation carried out jointly by the Goiana Agricultural Defense Agency (Agrodefesa), the Ministry of Agriculture (Mapa), the Military Police of Goiás (PMGO), through the 26th Battalion, and the Technical-Scientific Police (PTC), dismantled a scheme to falsify pesticides, in Caldas Novas, in the southern region of Goiás. In total, 37 tons of counterfeit pesticide products, including herbicides, pesticides and insecticides, as well as expired veterinary products, were found at different addresses in the municipality, in an operation called "Piratas do Agro ". The seizure of counterfeit pesticides is being considered one of the largest in the state's history.
In the locations investigated – a farm in the rural area of Caldas Novas and a warehouse in the city – packages full of expired pesticides were found, in their original packaging, as well as empty, clean and new packaging, without labels, apparently unused. Empty packaging contained the identification of large national producers.
Laboratory equipment was also found, such as mixers, concrete mixers, barrels, among others, drums, precision scales, sealing equipment and packaging sealing machines, as well as new cardboard boxes and full pesticide containers, without any identification. New seals and labels to be applied were also found at the site.
“The investigation carried out by both the state agricultural inspectors from Agrodefesa, the Mapa auditors and the security forces point to the reuse of expired products that were adulterated and repackaged with a new expiration date”, explains the president of Agrodefesa, José Ricardo Caixeta Branches. “These products, in addition to causing losses to rural producers, due to their ineffectiveness in combating pests and diseases, also represented a serious threat to the health of the population and the environment, when applied”, he adds.
The person responsible for the locations was identified by the police authorities and taken to the Civil Police Station for investigation. The seizure, removal and storage of products and materials were the responsibility of Mapa's federal auditors and the person responsible was also charged by Agrodefesa, in accordance with article 20 of State Law No. 19.423/2016, for falsifying and adulterating pesticides, their components and the like. .
He will be responsible for crimes against public health and related to the counterfeiting of pesticides with the improper storage and disposal of waste and packaging, disregarding health and environmental laws.
The action in different instances takes place because it is up to the Federal Government, through Mapa, and the Government of Goiás, through Agrodefesa, to manage different competencies regarding legislation on the manufacture, use and commercialization of pesticides. Agrodefesa is the body responsible for monitoring compliance with state legislation regarding pesticides, their components and the like, as stated in State Law No. 19.423/2016, regulated by State Decree No. 9.286/2018.
“The Government of Goiás, through Agrodefesa, takes great care in relation to the management of the use of pesticides in the State”, adds the director of Agricultural Defense at Agrodefesa, Augusto Amaral.
For him, the inspection action represents a great achievement, as it corroborates all the work carried out within the Plant Health Management of Agrodefesa, which controls the state of pesticides registered by Mapa. “Once again, the State contributes to ensuring that not only the legislation is applied, but also to ensuring that our producers are protected from people of bad faith, with assured production in accordance with standards defined in accordance with legislation”, he concludes.
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