Irregular pesticide packaging seized in GO

The Goiás Agricultural Defense Agency (Agrodefesa) and the Environmental Battalion of the Military Police of Goiás carried out an operation that resulted in the seizure of almost six thousand units of empty pesticide packaging, 37 packages containing residues of agricultural pesticides and approximately seven tons of already crushed packaging in an establishment located in the district of Planalmira, in the municipality of Abadiânia.

During the operation, state agricultural inspectors and police officers from the Battalion found that the establishment was collecting and processing the material without proper registration as an Empty Packaging Receiving Unit (Urev) or accreditation with the National Institute for Processing Empty Packaging (InpEV). In addition to the irregular operation, it was found that the packaging was still stored with chemical products, which represents a significant environmental risk.

All the material was seized and must be sent to a registered Urev authorized by Agrodefesa. In addition to the seizure, those responsible were charged - a fine of up to R$50 - since the offense is considered very serious. Those responsible were taken to the police station to be held criminally responsible.

“Today’s operation is yet another example of Agrodefesa’s work in monitoring and ensuring the return and proper disposal of empty pesticide containers, which, when discarded improperly, can pose a threat to our natural resources and also to the population’s quality of life. The purpose of the inspection is not only to punish, but also to raise awareness about the importance of complying with the legislation,” emphasizes Agrodefesa’s president, José Ricardo Caixeta Ramos.

“Inspections are preventive in nature, and it is important that companies and establishments in the agricultural sector are aware of their responsibilities. Inspectors are vigilant to ensure that everyone complies with regulations and that the environment and public health are not harmed by irregular practices,” explains the coordinator of the Rio das Antas Regional Unit of Agrodefesa, Marcelo Sales Guimarães.

Production

Producers who use pesticides, upon completing the application, must triple wash, adequately store and return empty packaging, their lids and any post-consumption residues of the products to the commercial establishments where they were purchased, in accordance with the instructions provided in the respective leaflets, within a period of up to one year, counting from the date of purchase, or the expiration date, and the return may also be intermediated by receiving posts or centers, as well as by itinerant receiving actions, provided that they are authorized and inspected by the competent agency, in this case in Goiás, by Agrodefesa, with management under the responsibility of inpEV together with its accredited reseller associations.