29 June 2015

Agcarm calls for illegal trade to stop

The illegal practice of selling agricultural chemicals in the likes of used soft drink bottles is dangerous and irresponsible says Agcarm.

Agcarm chief executive Mark Ross says the industry association has been pushing for a ban on selling these products on Trade Me, but the practice continues.

There are rules on how these chemicals must be packaged, labelled, transported, stored and used. This vital information is used to protect people and the environment from any ill-effects from incorrect use.

“As a parent what scares me is how irresponsible it is to put weed killer into a soft drink or juice container that children might drink from.

“It seems illogical that spray paint cans are banned from sale on Trade Me, yet pesticides in illegal packaging can still be found on the site,” says Mr Ross.

Agcarm is liaising with Trade Me to ban the sale of pesticides, due to recent examples of illegal auctions on their site. “We realise that Trade Me has put restrictions on the sale of pesticides, but we would like to see them enforced,” says Mr Ross.

As a responsible industry, Agcarm is concerned that regulations to protect people’s safety are being ignored.

“We don’t want to wait for an accident, such as a child drinking pesticides before anything is done,” Mr Ross said.

Agcarm members have seen examples of unidentified weed killer being sold in apple juice containers as well as products being delivered in insecure and leaking packaging, without childproof caps.
“What is also concerning is that these goods are being transported illegally by couriers who are unaware of what they are carrying and that they should have a special licence to be doing so.

It is illegal and dangerous to sell, gift or decant these substances in new packaging.

The risk of these products falling into the wrong hands or being damaged in transit is damaging for the responsible segment of theagrichemical industry represented by Agcarm members.

ENDS

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