The Intelligence and Investigation Service of the Dutch Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA-IOD) has found 1600 liters of illegal pesticides at a soft fruit grower. These are mainly agents used against insects and weeds. The NVWA has confiscated the substances. A specialized company will destroy them at the growers expense. The investigation led by the Functional Public Prosecutors Office is ongoing.
Investigators went to the company following information received by the Criminal Intelligence Team (TCI) of the NVWA. During the search, the investigators discovered dozens of jerry cans and bottles with pesticides not authorized in the Netherlands. The use and possession of these are prohibited. The NVWA-IOD is further investigating the origin of the substances.
The NVWA had strawberries growing at the company at that time tested in the laboratory. No prohibited substances were found on the fruit.
Risk of unauthorized substances
In the Netherlands, only crop protection products and biocides authorized in our country may be used. The authorization also specifies how the product may be used. Authorized products have been extensively tested for potential harmful effects on the environment, public health, and the working conditions of the user. Using unauthorized products or incorrectly using authorized products can pose a danger to humans, animals, and the environment.
Report serious fraud
Do you have information about serious fraud within one of the NVWAs supervision domains? For example, about the illegal trade in crop protection products? And do you want to share that information with the NVWA? Then contact the Criminal Intelligence Team (TCI) of the NVWA. This can be done 24 hours a day. You can share your information completely anonymously. The TCI protects your identity.
More information
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