Brazil fears rising fake agchem market

The Brazilian agrochemical industry fears that the international financial crisis will strengthen the sale of fake pesticide brands. A lack of credit is impacting sales of branded products ( Agrow No 557, p 18). Almost 500 tonnes of illegal pesticides were seized in Brazil in the first 11 months of the year, the agrochemical industry trade association, the Sindag, says. Arrests of suspected traffickers had already nearly doubled compared with the whole of last year. Close to 500 arrests this year have led to 20 convictions so far. Some 70% of seized products have been incinerated, the association adds.