LENEXA, KAN. (NOV. 10, 2021) - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) penalized Nutrien Ag Solutions Inc. for allegedly applying pesticides that were cancelled by the federal government and applying them in a manner inconsistent with the products’ labeling. The Colorado-based company, which sells, distributes, and applies pesticides mainly for farming operations, will pay $668,100.
“It’s critical that pesticide applicators follow labeling
requirements to prevent off-site movement of pesticides that can damage
non-target crops,” said Acting EPA Region 7 Administrator Edward H. Chu. “This
enforcement action demonstrates the Agency’s commitment to ensuring the safe
use and distribution of pesticide products.”
In 2020, EPA cancelled the use of certain pesticides
containing the active ingredient dicamba, in response to a Ninth Circuit Court
order vacating the registration of those pesticides. The Court cited, among
other things, evidence that dicamba could drift onto neighboring crops and
damage them during high winds. In its cancellation order, EPA said that farmers
could use their existing stocks of three pesticides containing dicamba until
July 31, 2020, but that applicators must adhere to all product labeling
requirements.
According to EPA, Nutrien Ag Solutions violated the Federal
Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act when it allegedly used two dicamba
products in a manner inconsistent with the approved label on at least 27
occasions, in violation of the Agency’s cancellation order. Further, EPA
alleged that the company violated the law on 33 occasions when it applied other
dicamba products on multiple Kansas farms during periods of high wind speeds in
violation of pesticide label requirements.
Nutrien Ag Solutions has taken steps to address the alleged
violations, including conducting trainings on pesticide applications, working
with pesticide applicators to comply with label and other requirements, and
improving its recordkeeping practices.
For more information about the EPA and pesticides,
visit EPA’s website.
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Contact Information
Ben Washburn (washburn.ben@epa.gov)
816-518-4154
