Counterfeit Rynaxypyr® Pesticide Seized in China

In a significant step forward for protecting DuPont intellectual property (IP) rights in China, the Public Security Bureau in Nantong City, China, recently announced the successful raid of an underground plant, which had produced $5 million worth of illegal chlorantraniliprole. Chlorantraniliprole is the innovative, patented active ingredient in DuPont™ Rynaxypyr®. This is the largest agricultural chemical counterfeit case in terms of value uncovered in China.

“DuPont is grateful to the Nantong police for acting so quickly to stop the criminal activity,” said Tom McHale, global IP protection manager, DuPont Crop Protection (DPC), at a press conference attended by 20 national and local media. “Successful action to combat counterfeiting efforts requires good cooperation between governmental regulators, law enforcement agencies and legal manufacturers, and users on intelligence gathering, product testing and case reporting.

“DuPont will cooperate fully with enforcement authorities to stop illegal activities with pesticides, and to protect the rights of our business partners, Chinese farmers and end consumers,” Tom said.

Wang Hua, deputy director of the Nantong Public Security Bureau, said the case highlighted the Chinese government’s commitment to protecting IP. He said the local prosecutor had filed a criminal charge against three owners of the plant, and the trial is expected to begin soon.