Morocco Destroys 120 Tons of Pesticide-Contaminated Mint in Major Crackdown

The first control operations were carried out directly in the mint plantations, recalls Medias24.com and Rabat-Kénitra, Tanger-Tétouan-Al Hoceima, Casa-Settat, Souss-Massa, Marrakech-Safi and Fès-Meknès are the six major mint-producing regions that have been targeted.

The result shows that 80% of the samples are non-compliant in terms of pesticides. This is explained by the use of unauthorized products and authorized products at excessive doses, non-compliance with the DAR and the pre-harvest delay.

In July, the second wave of controls had started. These operations have made it possible to realize that there have been significant improvements. The non-compliance rate has been halved, dropping from 80% to 40%. From a well-informed source, the non-compliance rate has currently dropped to 20%.

In total, 125 tons on 20 hectares, spread over 6 regions, including 100 tons in the Casablanca-Settat region alone, the largest mint producer, have been destroyed this year. ONSSA intends to continue its fight until the situation sees a complete and lasting improvement.