Danish farmers across the country have been able to order illegal crop sprays and fertilisers from a Jutland group that has organised extensive illegal imports across the German-Danish border, according to official correspondence Politiken has obtained.

The imports, from a warehouse in Leck in Northern Germany, involved some 500 lorryloads between 2007 and 2009 with a total of 15,000 tonnes of fertilisers and 45 tonnes of crop sprays, 21 tonnes of which are banned in Denmark.

Imported outside the normal controls of the authorities, farmers have been able to spread more fertiliser and sprays on their fields than allowed.

“This is very serious. We are not just talking about four farms that have done something wrong,” says Biology Professor Mogens Flindt of the University of Southern Denmark.

“Our lakes and watercourses can have received a lot more of the chemicals because of this,” he adds of the case that is currently being investigated by East Jutland Police.

“This is a major case that involves people throughout the country,” says Police Prosecutor Morten Holm, adding that apart from the network organisers, some 160 farms risk charges.

“The fear is that this is just the tip of the iceberg,” Holm adds.

According to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, the imports have included sprays that are categorised as a health hazard and carcinogenic.

East Jutland Police say that almost all police forces in Denmark are involved in investigating the case.

“Bornholm, Copenhagen and Copenhagen West don’t have any cases, but the rest have farmers who have received these products,” says Niels Bugge of the East Jutland force.

The Danish Agriculture and Food Council says it is astonished that so many of its members have been involved in an illegal trade in sprays and fertiliser.

“It is reprehensible that farmers import illegal sprays and fertilisers. I am astonished that that there are so many farmers that have been tempted to buy illegal products,” says Council Deputy Chairman Henrik Frandsen, adding that the Council has a clear and restrictive policy on the issue.

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