Increasing violations in the agricultural materials sector

Since the beginning of 2021, in An Giang province, there has been over 100 violations in trading and production of agricultural materials, of which the highest rate of violations belongs to fertilizers.

Mr. Tran Thanh Hiep, Chief Inspector of An Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that in September 2021, An Giang Department of Agriculture and Rural Development's Inspectors were assigned to coordinate with the inter-sectoral anti-smuggling working group of An Giang province to simultaneously inspect establishments trading and producing agricultural materials in the province, finding multiple violating products of fertilizers and pesticides.

Comparing to the same period in 2020, the number of violating individuals and organizations have decreased by 29%, however, the amount of administrative fines increased by 5.5% (in 2020 the number of violating individuals and organizations is 143, the administrative fines amount is 1,515,316,000 VND).

Specifically, on September 24th, An Giang province's inter-sectoral anti-smuggling working group inspected and discovered a large number of pesticides and fertilizers without legal invoices proving the origin, at pesticides and fertilizers trading establishment Phuong Thuy, in Nhon Hung border commune, Tinh Bien district (An Giang) owned by Mrs. Nguyen Phuong Thuy, born in 1977.

Upon inspection, the Working Group discovered over 3,200 bottles and packages of pesticides and fertilizers with many different brands at the facility. At the time of inspection, the establishment owner could not present a legal invoice proving the origin of the goods. The working group records the administrative violations against the establishment owner for trading in goods without a legal invoice proving the origin and temporarily seizing the above goods.

On September 26th, An Giang province's inter-sectoral anti-smuggling working group simultaneously inspected two shops selling fertilizers and pesticides in An Phu district, found and seized over 7,700 pesticide products without documents proving the origin.

When the force conducted an inspection of Thanh Phe's fertilizer and pesticide store in Phuoc Thanh hamlet, Phuoc Hung commune, An Phu district, owned by Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phe, born in 1962, and agricultural material store Thanh Phe 2 in Phu My hamlet, Phu Hoi commune, An Phu district, owned by Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, born in 1988, residing in Phuoc Hung commune, An Phu district. Upon inspection, the Working Group found over 7,700 bags, bottles, cans and packages of pesticides without invoices and documents.

At the time of inspection, the shop owners could not produce legal invoices and documents proving the origin, the Working Group made a record of temporary seizure of all the above pesticides. At the same time, he handed over to An Phu District Police to continue investigating, verifying, clarifying and handling according to regulations

On the same day, the inter-sectoral anti-smuggling working group inspected Phuc Hung's agricultural supply store, located at Group 5, Phu Hoa hamlet, An Phu commune, Tinh Bien district, owned by Mr. Luu Tu Tri, born in 1983. Upon inspection, the inter-sectoral working group found over 15,700 bottles and packages of pesticides, herbicides, rat poisons and foliar fertilizers of foreign origin. The store owner failed to present invoices and documents proving the origin of the above goods.

According to Mr. Hiep, the functional sector discovered many violations in the trading of fertilizers and pesticides such as product names, geographical indications inconsistent with the circulating decisions.

For example, fertilizer products registered with the authorities are specific and standard, but when produced and circulated on the market, they are lower than that of the registration. This causes confusion for farmers to buy and use, causing a loss in product quality and also affecting crop productivity.

Mr. Dinh Van Doi, Director of An Giang Provincial Police, said that pesticides and fertilizers of unknown origin in An Giang province has caused frustration among the farmers, especially for those directly engaged in agricultural production. In the future, the Provincial Police in collaboration with relevant functional sectors will strengthen regular inspection and handling of problems in the trading of agricultural materials, especially when fertilizer prices are currently 30-70% higher than the same period last year.

According to Mr. Dinh Van Doi - Director of An Giang Provincial Police, in fertilizers and pesticides trading, when counterfeit goods and poor quality goods are detected, farmers should immediately report to the agency via the hotline of the announced An Giang Provincial Police to inspect and strictly handle in accordance with the law.