Gyeonggi Special Judicial Police Conduct Intensive Crackdown on Illegal Distribution of Fertilizers and Agricultural Chemicals

[Asia Economy (Suwon) = Reporter Lee Young-gyu] Gyeonggi Province is launching a focused crackdown on the illegal distribution of agricultural materials such as fertilizers and pesticides.

The Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Public Welfare announced on the 26th that, to ensure the safety of agricultural materials and establish a sound distribution order, it will conduct an intensive investigation into illegal distribution activities related to agricultural materials such as pesticides and fertilizers from the 28th of this month until the 13th of next month.

The investigation targets 360 locations including agricultural material (pesticide and fertilizer) production and sales stores within the province, as well as flower complexes near urban areas.

The investigation will cover ▲ selling pesticides without business registration ▲ storing or selling pesticides past their efficacy guarantee period ▲ violating pesticide handling restrictions ▲ displaying or selling fertilizers without guarantee marks ▲ illegal distribution of agricultural materials through internet shopping malls, among others.

Under the current Pesticide Control Act, selling pesticides without business registration or storing and selling pesticides past their efficacy guarantee period is punishable by up to 3 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 30 million KRW; violating pesticide handling restrictions is punishable by a fine of up to 3 million KRW; and under the Fertilizer Control Act, displaying or selling fertilizers without guarantee marks is punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment or a fine of up to 20 million KRW.

Kim Min-kyung, head of the Gyeonggi Province Special Judicial Police for Public Welfare, emphasized, "As the busy farming season begins and urban residents' interest in flowers increases, the distribution of substandard pesticides and fertilizers can cause significant harm to farmers and general consumers. From this year, we will expand the investigation targets to all 31 cities and counties in the province and will take strict action against detected businesses."