(JP)Prison terms eyed for illegal farm chemicals

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http://www.asahi.com/english/national/K2002102100651.html

 

Prison terms eyed for illegal farm chemicals

 

The Asahi Shimbun

 

The farm ministry, seeking to stem the widespread use

of unauthorized agricultural chemicals, will

strengthen fines and seek prison terms for those

caught dealing in the potentially dangerous

substances.

 

The new penalties planned by the Ministry of

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries will raise the

maximum fine against companies that sell such

chemicals from the current 50,000 yen to 100 million

yen. In addition, the ministry plans to seek prison

terms of up to three years and maximum fines of 1

million yen for farmers caught using the substances.

 

The ministry will submit a bill to increase the

penalties in the Agricultural Chemicals Regulation Law

to the current extraordinary Diet session.

 

Opposition is expected from farmers. But ministry

officials say something must be done to control the

illegal use, distribution and sales of these

chemicals.

 

According to ministry statistics, unregistered

agricultural chemicals, including some believed to be

carcinogenic, have been sold by 170 companies in 43

prefectures to 2,800 farmers.

 

Some farmers have said the unauthorized chemicals are

cheaper and more effective than the registered

substances.(IHT/Asahi: October 21,2002)

 

 

 

 

 

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