26 agrochemical companies in Argentina fined US$783 million

The Buenos Aires government has fined 26 agrochemical companies US$783 million for not complying with a provision that obliges them to collect the containers in which they sell agrochemical products.

Juan Brardinelli, executive director of the Provincial Organization for Sustainable Development (OPDS), explained, in a statement, "it is the greatest environmental penalty imposed in Argentina."

The measure was adopted after evaluating the sworn statements presented to the agency which revealed that "of 13 million containers of agrochemicals used, only one million was recovered."

The plastic containers in which agrochemicals are sold must be collected and specially treated because they are highly toxic with regard to contact with humans and release pollutants into the environment, Brardinelli explained.

"The uncollected containers are left scattered in the field. They end up burned, or buried in the seas or are reused without control, to transport other substances," he said.

"There is no effective and efficient collection system," he acknowledged but stressed, “while companies are asking for time, all over the world rules are respected, and here what they are looking for are the legal twists and turns."

"We are working to enable more temporary storage centers," he pointed out and added, "sanctioned companies have said that they are going to appeal the measure."

In conclusion, Brardineli stated, "Though we do not agree (with the appeal that the companies will present), they are within their rights. I hope all this energy they are investing in the judicial process will also be put into collecting the containers."