POLICE OFFICERS are to visit farms and agricultural suppliers across Scotland to warn of the dangers of counterfeit pesticides.

Although there is no evidence that illegal pesticide use is widespread in Scotland, Police Scotland is taking pre-emptive action in response to an "emerging threat" in Europe.

Working in partnership with Trading Standards, HMRC and the Health and Safety Executive, the officers will be raising awareness of the threats posed by the use of such chemicals, in a two-week campaign which is part of a Europe-wide initiative co-ordinated by Europol – the epically titled 'Operation Silver Axe II'.

It is estimated that the global market for counterfeit and illegal pesticides is worth €4.4 billion, and as a result is a business run by serious and organised criminal gangs. Around 10% of all pesticides in use throughout Europe are thought to be illicit or counterfeit. A previous Europol operation in 2015, carried out at ports and airports across seven EU countries, recovered 190 tonnes of illegal or counterfeit pesticides.

Head of Police Scotland’s Safer Communities, Chief Superintendent Barry McEwan, said: "Counterfeit and illicit pesticides have been identified in parts of Europe as an emerging threat posed by organised criminals; however, to date none have been found in Scotland.

“We are fortunate in Scotland that the Scottish Anti Illicit Trade Group (SAITG), Police Scotland and all agencies working within the Scottish Crime Campus have recognised there is potential for the same organised criminals to exploit our communities.

"We are keen to prevent this happening and the public should be in no doubt that the same criminal networks who import, distribute and sell counterfeit and illicit goods in our communities may see a commercial opportunity and explore it for profit without considering the harm," said CS McEwan.

“This is why my team are working collaboratively with our law enforcement partners across the UK, Europe and internationally during Operation Silver Axe II to raise awareness. Our activity will focus on joint prevention, education visits across agricultural communities, ports, producers, distributors and buyers of these products limiting the threat to Scottish businesses and ultimately protecting the health and wellbeing of the Scottish public."

Assistant Chief Constable Steve Johnson said: “Enhanced international collaboration with Interpol and Europol is crucial to achieving these aims. The criminality comes in many guises, generating wealth at the expense of others, exploiting law-abiding people, including the most vulnerable members of our communities.”

NFU Scotland’s Combinable Crops committee chairman Ian Sands, who farms near Perth, said: “I welcome Police Scotland’s recognition that there is no evidence of illegal pesticides on Scotland’s farms. This information campaign will help reinforce that.

“I urge Scottish growers to remain vigilant as Scotland’s reputation as a grower of quality crops, produced to leading farm assured standards, is something worth preserving and protecting given the high value markets we supply," he said.

“Trade in illegal pesticides has gained a foothold in some other parts of the EU and I urge Scottish farmers to continue to work with their trusted suppliers and agronomists when sourcing their spray requirements.”