Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the resurgence of fake pesticides, particularly a product known as "acid-reducing agent," which poses significant risks to agricultural safety and highlights regulatory gaps in the industry [7][49]. Group 1: Incidents of Fake Pesticides - A fruit farmer in Chengdu, Sichuan, expressed regret after using a "acid-reducing agent" that did not improve fruit sweetness and caused leaf drop in trees [2][6]. - In Ziyang, Sichuan, illegal production of arsenic-containing pesticides has led to significant damage to fruit trees, raising concerns among farmers [5][6]. - Police seized 330 kilograms of fake pesticides containing banned substances, with a case value exceeding 2 million yuan [10]. Group 2: Characteristics of Fake Pesticides - The so-called "acid-reducing agent" is often disguised as a product that enhances sweetness but contains highly toxic components like lead arsenate, which can cause chronic harm to humans, soil, and crops [11][12][19]. - These fake pesticides target farmers' desire for high-quality produce, promoting themselves as "sweetening agents" or "fruit-expanding agents" while actually containing harmful substances [14][18]. Group 3: Challenges in Legal Recourse for Affected Farmers - Farmers face significant hurdles in seeking compensation for damages caused by fake pesticides, including difficulties in proving evidence and establishing causation between pesticide use and crop damage [30][44]. - The lack of accessible and affordable testing facilities for pesticide composition and damage assessment further complicates the situation for farmers [39][41]. Group 4: Regulatory Challenges - The production and distribution of fake pesticides often occur in hidden locations, making them difficult to detect, and they frequently use online platforms to evade regulatory scrutiny [60][62]. - The low cost of producing fake pesticides, combined with high potential profits, creates a strong incentive for illegal production, as penalties for violations are often minimal [63][65]. Group 5: Recommendations for Improvement - To combat the issue of fake pesticides, a comprehensive governance system is needed that includes strict controls at the source, rigorous management during distribution, and severe penalties for violations [81][82]. - Establishing a collaborative mechanism between agricultural, police, and market regulatory departments can enhance the detection and prosecution of fake pesticide cases [88][89]. - Improving public awareness and education on identifying fake pesticides, along with implementing a credit rating system for pesticide sellers, can help mitigate the problem [103][104].