Plant Protection Service detects illegal trade in plant protection products

In response to a report, the State Plant Production Service under the Ministry of Agriculture (Plant Production Service) on 30 May 2025 went to the Vilnius fair "VikoFlora" where a dealer was found to be distributing plant protection products not registered in the Republic of Lithuania. Illegal products with labels in Ukrainian and Russian were found at the distribution site and in a car nearby. The specialists were surprised by the range of products on offer – more than 50 different names of illegal plant protection products (Actara, Mospilan,Fitosporin-M, Topaz, Signum, etc.) were offered, with a total quantity of more than 60 kg found. The vast majority of the illegal products are in small original packages of 10 g. – 50 g., others – packaged in plastic bags with product information attached.

The person carrying out the activity did not have a permit for the distribution of plant protection products, a plant protection certificate, nor did he have a properly equipped storage place for these products in compliance with the legal requirements. In addition, plant protection products for professional use were offered for purchase without the buyer being asked to produce a plant protection certificate.

An inspection at the fair revealed a high level of interest among visitors in the illegal sale of plant protection products. "The Plant Protection Service urges people not to rely on rumours about the efficacy of illegal products or their attractive price. It is very important to buy these products only from officially established traders. It is also necessary to check product labels carefully – avoid products labelled in a language other than the official language, in non-original or damaged packaging, without a batch number or other obligatory labelling elements"," warns Yuri Korniyenko, Director of the State Agency for Plant Breeding.

The Plant Protection Service reminds that only plant protection products registered in the Republic of Lithuania can be placed on the market, stored and used in Lithuania, a list of which is available here. The placing on the market, storage and use of unregistered plant protection products is subject to administrative liability.

We would like to point out that the use of such products poses a risk of poisoning, destruction of plants and crops due to the unknown composition of the product, and residues of unsafe substances ending up on our tables. We urge you to immediately inform the Plant Protection Service in case of any illegal distribution of plant protection products by e-mail at info@vatzum.lt, by calling the Helpline at +370 5 270 80 80 or by contacting the Agrochemical Department of the Plant Protection Service directly by phone at +370 5 275 41 82.