China Starts Fight against Counterfeit Pesticides    

The Ministry of Agriculture of China announced on February 23rd to beat off the illegal actions of manufacturing and selling counterfeit and low quality pesticides in order to safeguarding peasants, agriculture and environment.     
   According to an official report, China's administration departments totally found and confiscated around 64 thousand tons of counterfeit and low quality agricultural means including pesticides and fertilizers in 2008. On February 17th, nine administration departments including the Ministry of Agriculture started a special control action of beating off counterfeit and poor quality agricultural means over the country.
   The action starting February 23rd focuses on completing the long term administration system concerning the permit, operation and elimination in the pesticides market, aiming to actually protect the safeties of agricultural production, agricultural products quality, environment and pesticide users. The illegal actions of manufacturing, selling and using Phosphamidon, Monocrotophos, Methyl parathion, Methamidophos and Parathion will be put into an end.
   The Ministry of Agriculture also requires in the announcement to prohibit the pesticides that are harmful to people, beasts and environmental safety to enter into the production and consumption. It will approve more strictly in pesticides registration.  
   As of February, Croplife China has carried out the training program of using crop protection products safely for three years. The training with farmers, agrochemical distributors and agricultural technicians has led to improved practice in the use of pesticides, avoid using high toxic pesticides. At the recent summit, Croplife China announced it will take further steps in the fight against counterfeit crop protection products.