The Food Chain Safety Office draws attention to the dangers of counterfeit pesticides

The authority explained in its statement on Monday: according to the European Plant Protection Association, 14 percent of the pesticide trade in Europe is involved in counterfeiting and illegal distribution, in Hungary this rate is around 10 percent. Counterfeit preparations are of unknown origin and composition, therefore neither their effectiveness nor their safety is guaranteed. Their quality and actual composition are uncontrolled, and their use can be dangerous – they said. The authority authorizes legally distributed pesticides after a strict, multi-stage examination, taking into account the effectiveness, the acceptable risk to humans and the environment and the quality parameters. Authorized products are monitored throughout their entire distribution period. They can be used safely in accordance with the regulations, with a Hungarian-language label, and in compliance with the instructions for use and danger signs – they emphasized. They announced that the Nébih “Don’t spray, take the risk” communication campaign week focuses on the risk posed by counterfeit pesticides.

The authority draws the attention of buyers to purchase pesticides only from licensed Hungarian distributors

It also focuses on recognizing counterfeits: for example, a strikingly low price, a faulty or incomplete label, the lack of instructions for use in Hungarian, and an unknown or foreign seller can give rise to suspicion.

MTI