David's Digest

At a most enjoyable Christmas lunch provide by Dow AgroSciences yesterday a group of us were told about a relatively new and growing threat to crop farmers. According to the European Crop Protection Association (ECPA) counterfeit chemicals, mostly made in China where there are some 2,700 spray producers, are finding their way, via various routes but often through the Ukraine to western Europe.

It has been estimated that between 5% and 7% of the ag chems on sale across the EU and by implication, Britain are fake. They should not be confused with so called "black can" products that are usually genuine out of patent sprays that can often be bought cheaper than branded products. The fakes might not even be the products they claim to be; they may be a dilute version of the product; they may be some other liquid or powder altogether; they will almost certainly not have legal labels or safety instructions meaning that the user has no redress if crops or personnel are harmed.

I wince every time I write out a cheque for ag chems and try to keep the costs under strict control. Having always dealt with reputable suppliers I am not aware that we have ever been offered such products but if this is a growing problem I shall, in future, kerb my enthusiasm for a cheap deal if I have any suspicion I am buying counterfeits. The risks are too great.