Action seizes 384 tons of illegal seeds in RS

The Civil Police, in an action to combat crime in the countryside, through the Division for Combating Rural Crimes and Cattle Theft (Dicrab) and the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Sustainable Production and Irrigation (Seapi), launched Operation Safe Seed, between May 19 and 22.

The large-scale offensive combated the clandestine sale of pirated seeds, aiming to dismantle criminal networks that distribute and sell seeds without provenance, without quality control and, often, without proper certification. The actions took place in the regions of Soledade, Passo Fundo, Lagoa Vermelha, Espumoso, Centenário, São João da Urtiga, Ibiraiaras and Guabiju.

The initiative, coordinated by Dicrab and Seapi, was carried out by the Specialized Police Stations for the Repression of Rural Crimes and Cattle Theft (Decrabs) of Cruz Alta and Santo Ângelo, as well as by teams of inspectors from Seapi.

In Passo Fundo, 208 tons of pirated forage seeds were seized from a cereal factory, valued at R$700. In Ibiraiaras, 176 tons of pirated soybean seeds were seized, valued at R$2,2 million, in addition to a large quantity of agricultural pesticides, deposited illegally. Together, the seizures totaled 384 tons of illegal seeds and almost R$3 million, demonstrating the magnitude and effectiveness of the coordinated action.

As for fines, based on the documents generated and which will still be received by the inspection (deadline for the inspected party to present invoices and other documents), it will be possible to verify the irregularities in more detail and apply fines, which vary according to the value of the product from 41% to 80%, depending on the severity.

According to Rafael Friedrich de Lima, head of the Agricultural Supplies and Services Division, Seapi kept the seeds without origin seized as a precautionary measure. Many establishments inspected claimed that the material was sold as grain, however, many aspects involved demonstrate that the practice was linked to seeds. From Seapi's point of view, the action had an excellent result, where it was possible to remove a significant amount of seeds from the illegal seed market.

The Director of Dicrab, Delegate Heleno dos Santos, highlighted that the operation is another important step in protecting our agribusiness and the environment. Counterfeit seeds not only harm producers economically, causing billions in losses to the sector throughout the country, but also pose an immense risk to plant health and the sustainability of our crops and pastures. The joint action with Seapi demonstrates the strength of integrated work to ensure legality and quality in the Rio Grande do Sul countryside.

The Decrabs of the Civil Police of Rio Grande do Sul have stood out in confronting these crimes, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to safety in the field and the protection of rural producers. Integration with Seapi has been crucial to the success of the operations, combining police expertise with technical and regulatory knowledge of agriculture.

The Civil Police and Seapi reinforce the warning to producers to only purchase seeds from reliable sources, with an invoice and certification, thus contributing to a strong, legal and sustainable agribusiness in Rio Grande do Sul.