CEPOL hosts workshop on combating illegal and counterfeit pesticide trade

Pesticides are crucial in agriculture for pest and disease control, directly impacting food security and agricultural productivity. However, the illegal and counterfeit pesticide trade, which Europol reports as being valued at billions of euros globally, poses significant health, environmental, and economic risks. Addressing this critical issue, a workshop was held in Budapest from 4 to 6 December 2023, organised by the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL), the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol) and the European Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO), through the European Observatory on Infringements of Intellectual Property Rights.

The workshop's goal was to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to understand and address the complex nature of the illicit and counterfeit pesticide trade. The illegal and counterfeit pesticide trade presents numerous challenges, including complex international supply chains managed by criminal networks, the proliferation of counterfeit and unregistered products, and the necessity for thorough enforcement involving customs, laboratory analyses, and international cooperation. The need for a coordinated response was underscored, leading to an exploration of practical strategies and international collaboration during the workshop.

Participants from EU Member States and neighbouring areas, including the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans, engaged in sessions focusing on intelligence gathering, identification of emerging threats, and risk analysis. Notably, the participation of Eastern Partnership and Western Balkans representatives was facilitated through CEPOL's projects TOPCOP and WB PACT, reflecting the commitment to regional collaboration and capacity building in these areas. The participants also took part in a field visit to a Customs border, providing practical exposure to strategies for controlling the illegal flow of pesticides.

The workshop emphasised the importance of international cooperation in the fight against illegal and counterfeit pesticide trade, including the importance of collaboration between public and private sectors. Given the global scope of this issue, a multifaced and collaborative approach is essential for effective action. The Budapest event served as a platform for sharing knowledge, experiences, and strategies, fostering a collective approach among the participating countries. One key outcome of the workshop will be a development of investigators' guidelines, aimed at standardising and enhancing enforcement procedures across borders.

About TOPCOP

The Training and Operational Partnership Against Organised Crime (TOPCOP) project aims at improving operational effectiveness and fostering cooperation between the law enforcement authorities of the EU Member States and the Eastern Partnership countries. For more information, please visit the project here.

About WB PaCT

The Partnership against Crime and Terrorism project in the Western Balkans (WB PaCT) aims at enhancing the capacities of the authorities in the Western Balkans to fight organised crime and terrorism including preventing and countering violent extremism by enhancing cooperation within the region and with the EU. For more information, please visit the project page.