Keep records
OECD (the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) has adopted 105 recommendation to its 37 member countries on how to counter the illegal trade of pesticides. The recommendations call for records to keep track on trade, manufacturing, inspections and sale and more.
Ask the Chinese
The Chinese Institute for the Control of Agrochemicals, Ministry of Agriculture (ICAMA) can be asked for documentation of exported pesticides, known as the ICAMA 1-pager document.
Make the transporter responsible
Delivering companies should be demanded to know what they transport. Know Your Customer (KYC) is a strategy asked for by the producers’ association CropLife International.
Open up sales statistics
Statistics on active substances published by the Commission (Eurostat) are not detailed enough to be useful. An EU-law from 2009 does not allow statistics per active substance. Also, data from Member States are insufficiently harmonised, the European Court of Auditors reported in February 2020 and called for changes.
Reduce the use of pesticides
Environmental and consumers organisations demand a reduced use of pesticides regardless of their origin. The European Parliament has asked for reductions of use as a condition for receiving EU-farm subsidies. The Commission has declared the goal of reducing the use by 50 percent by 2030 as a part of the new Farm to Fork and Biodiversity strategy. Industry has said the goal is unrealistic to meet.