The Illegal Trade in Chemicals

CHAPTER The illegal trade in pesticides 4

The trade in illegal pesticides arises from a combination of factors, but in all cases the ongoing demand and an economic interest in illegal production and trade are the main drivers of illicit pesticide markets. Political, socioeconomic and geographic conditions loom large, and include a developed agricultural sector with a significant share of small- and medium-scale farmers, access to finance, proximity to areas outside of the de facto control of governments, and the presence of qualified professionals in chemistry and agronomy. The imposition of high import duties is an extra incentive. The key elements in the selection of illegal trade routes are geographic location and agro- climatic conditions. Easy access to potential markets combined with a developed transport infrastructure and weak transit and border regulations attract the attention of criminals who use such countries as hubs for further illicit activities.

The Illegal Trade in Chemicals

33