Here we go again: More companies are handling pesticides illegally.

30. 06. 2026.

Companies that sell pesticides have, in several cases, not kept up with the regulations. Therefore, the Environmental Agency has reported 10 companies to the police because they have seriously violated the rules. This was announced by the Ministry of Environment in a press release. The Chemical Inspection of the Environmental Agency visited a total of 88 companies in 2025 and found violations in 66 of the visits. The companies included 67 dealers of pesticides for professional use, two repackaging and storage companies, one producer of pesticides, and 18 dealers of pesticides for non-professional use, including hardware stores, plant nurseries, and other retail outlets. Violations were found in 50 of the 67 inspections of professional-use dealers, corresponding to 75%. Additionally, violations were found in 14 of the 18 inspections of non-professional pesticide dealers, including plant nurseries, hardware stores, and other retail outlets, which is 78%. The inspectors also found six companies with unapproved pesticides. Three companies marketed foreign pesticides that are not approved in Denmark, and two companies physically possessed foreign pesticides that are not approved in Denmark. "Deeply problematic" There were also examples of illegal storage of pesticides, such as two companies failing to store toxic or very toxic pesticides under lock, as required, and one company storing pesticides near food and feed for animals. "It is deeply problematic that so many companies working with pesticides are breaking the rules. Some violations involve directly illegal pesticides that are dangerous to the environment and people. But even approved pesticides are harmful to humans, the environment, and drinking water when handled improperly. This is yet another example that there are far too many violations in the pesticide sector," says Environment Minister Maria Reumert Gjerding (SF), who warns that they will take much stricter action when negotiating a new pesticide strategy with the Parliament parties this fall. Looking at chemical inspections over the past five years, the Environmental Agency has found violations in at least 53% of control visits each year. Industry organization: Not good enough Carl-Emil Larsen, CEO of the industry organization Danva for drinking water and wastewater companies, expresses concern over the violations and calls the current protection inadequate: "It is alarming because the results of the inspections show that the system we have for handling and selling pesticides is not working. It challenges the general trust. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the industry much more restrictively, as everything indicates that the system of self-control and voluntary compliance is not functioning as intended," he says in a press release from Danva. The professional dealers for agriculture are represented by Dakofo, the industry association for grain and feed trade in Denmark. Here, director Emil Dalsgaard Hansen told DR News that he has not seen a report that details and explains the control visits, but: "This is not good enough. As an industry, we want to look into what violations have occurred, and then we will examine how we can ensure it doesn't happen again."

Companies that sell pesticides have in several cases not been aware of the legislation. Therefore, the Environmental Agency has reported 10 companies to the police because they have seriously violated the rules.

This was stated by the Ministry of Environment in a press release.

The Chemical Inspection of the Environmental Agency visited a total of 88 companies in 2025 and found violations in 66 of the visits.

The companies included 67 retailers of pesticides for professional use, two re-packaging and storage companies, one producer of pesticides, and 18 retailers of pesticides for non-professional use, including hardware stores, garden centers, and other retail outlets.

Violations were found in 50 of the 67 inspections at retailers for professional users, corresponding to 75%.

Violations were also found in 14 of the 18 inspections at retailers of pesticides for non-professional use, including garden centers, hardware stores, and other retail outlets. This corresponds to 78%.

At six companies, inspectors found unapproved pesticides. Three companies had marketed foreign pesticides that are not approved in Denmark, and two companies were physically in possession of foreign pesticides that are not approved in Denmark.

"Deeply problematic"

Examples of illegal storage of pesticides were also found, e.g., two companies failed to store toxic or very toxic pesticides under lock, as required, and one company stored pesticides near foodstuffs and animal feed.

"It is deeply problematic that so many companies working with pesticides are breaking the rules. Some of the violations involve directly illegal pesticides that are dangerous to the environment and humans. But even approved pesticides are harmful to humans, the environment, and drinking water when handled improperly. This is yet another example that there are far too many violations in the pesticide sector," says Environment Minister Maria Reumert Gjerding (SF), who warns that the government will take much stricter action when negotiating a new pesticide strategy with the Parliament parties this fall.

Looking at chemical inspections over the past five years, the Environmental Agency has found violations in at least 53% of control visits every year.

Industry organization: Not good enough

Carl-Emil Larsen, CEO of the industry organization Danva for drinking water and wastewater companies, expresses concern over the violations and calls the current protection inadequate:

"It is alarming, because the results of the inspections show that the system we have in place for handling and selling pesticides is not working. It challenges the overall trust. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the industry much more restrictively, as everything indicates that the system of self-control and voluntary compliance is not functioning as intended," he says in a press release from Danva.

The professional suppliers to agriculture are represented by Dakofo, the industry association for grain and feed trade in Denmark. Here, director Emil Dalsgaard Hansen tells DR News that he has not seen a report that details and explains the control visits, but:

"This is not good enough. As an industry, we want to look into what violations have occurred, and then we will examine how we can ensure that it does not happen again."