The latest operation by European authorities against counterfeit or otherwise illegal pesticides has seized more than 2,000 tonnes of suspect products and led to the dismantling of several production facilities.

21 arrests were made in Operation Silver Axe VIII, which took place between January 23 and April 28 this year and involved enforcement agencies from all 27 EU member states plus five third-party countries, including the US, UK, Australia, Brazil and Ukraine.

The haul was almost twice the previous year’s seizure volume of 1,150 tonnes and takes the total intercepted by the Silver Axe teams to almost 7,000 tonnes over the eight operations.

Counterfeit pesticides contain chemicals that are either banned or restricted in the EU due to the potential risks they may pose and are not authorised for sale by authorities. They can lead to crop failures and sometimes contain toxic or flammable ingredients that can make even transport unsafe, according to the European Crop Care Association (ECCA) industry body.

The use of cheaper, illegal and substandard products has led to the devastation of fields and other ecosystems, such as bee populations, said Europol, which coordinated the operation.

In Silver Axe VIII enforcement agencies identified criminal trends in plant protection products emerging on the EU black market, including the sale of counterfeits, banned products and unregulated imports – both online and offline.

“These clandestine chemicals may come with a low price tag, but they take a heavy toll on the environment, public health, agricultural livelihoods and even the well-being of our vital bee colonies,” said Europol executive director Catherine De Bolle.

“By removing these unregulated threats from the market, we are contributing to a safer and healthier future for EU citizens, exemplifying the power of collaboration in protecting what matters most,” she added.

While Asia and South Asia remain the primary source regions for illegal pesticides, much of the production and finishing takes place in the EU, thought to be a response to increased monitoring at EU ports of entry.