"Spray once for 'weed removal in three days, worry-free for a season', but weeds grew wildly after application" "Advertised 'high-yield rice seeds with yield per mu exceeding 800 kg', actual harvest was less than 600 kg" — In response to recent farmer complaints regarding false advertising of agricultural supplies, the Luquan County Market Supervision Administration launched a special rectification campaign starting in March, severely cracking down on illegal acts such as exaggerated publicity, false promises, and fabricated data, effectively safeguarding the lawful rights and interests of farmers.
This rectification campaign focuses on four categories of agricultural supplies: pesticides, fertilizers, seeds, and agricultural machinery. It focuses on inspecting promotional posters, product manuals, and salespersons' verbal promises at agricultural supply stores to check for issues such as "exaggerated efficacy, fabricated data, and relativized effects." Law enforcement officers adopted a combination of "overt inspections and covert visits," investigating 53 agricultural supply business households across the county. In an agricultural supply store in Saluopan Town, it was discovered that the promotional page for the "high-yield rice seeds" being promoted stated "yield per mu can reach 800-850 kg." However, inquiries with the agricultural and rural departments' filing information showed that the high yield of this variety was only around 650 kg per mu, constituting typical false advertising. Law enforcement officers ordered the store to take down over 200 kg of non-compliant seeds on the spot, confiscated illegal gains of 3,000 yuan, and imposed a fine of 12,000 yuan in accordance with the law.
Considering that farmers in mountainous areas have relatively closed information channels, easily trust "recommendations from acquaintances" and "verbal promises," and have weak awareness of rights protection, law enforcement officers also visited more than 20 village committees to carry out legal publicity through "case explanations + interactive Q&A." In Dazuowo Village, Wudongde Town, officers used a local case where farmers suffered damage to 5 mu of corn due to purchasing herbicides with false advertising to teach everyone how to preserve evidence such as promotional materials, shopping invoices, and product packaging. They informed them that if problems are found, they can complain or report via the 12315 hotline or the 12315 platform. "In the past, I only listened to what the shopkeeper said when buying agricultural supplies; now I know to keep evidence, and I have more confidence in defending my rights!" said villager Zhang Zhenghua.
As of now, the special rectification campaign has investigated and dealt with 4 cases of false advertising of agricultural supplies, recovered 23,000 yuan in economic losses for farmers, and exposed 2 illegal business stores. A relevant person in charge of the Luquan County Market Supervision Administration stated that they will continue to smooth the channels for complaints and reporting, implement a "zero tolerance" policy for illegal acts regarding agricultural supplies, ensuring that "one case is investigated upon discovery, and one case is exposed," while establishing credit files for agricultural supply business households, incorporating illegal acts into credit evaluations, guiding the industry towards standardized operation, and allowing farmers to consume with confidence and produce with peace of mind.
