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Region 9: Featured Stories |  |
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U.S. EPA cracks down on illegal pesticide pet products
Enforcement actions totaling $748,000 taken against companies in three Western statesThe EPA has initiated a multi-state effort to protect consumers from illegal pesticide products, most recently fining companies in three Western states a collective $748,000 for trafficking counterfeit and/or unregistered pet products. The EPA is seeking fines of $357,000 from Rizing Sun, LLC Peoria, Ariz. and $341,000 Pang & Son Distribution, LLC, Honolulu, Hawaii. The third company, Tidalwave Distribution, Inc., of Torrance, Calif., recently agreed to settle with the EPA for $50,000. All three companies were cited for allegedly violating federal pesticide law by selling and distributing unregistered versions of "Frontline" and /or "Advantage" — popular flea and tick control products used on dogs and cats. State and federal inspectors discovered the illegal products at various retail stores in Oregon, California, Hawaii, Pennsylvania and Georgia, and traced the products back to the three companies. The counterfeit pesticides appeared to have been unlawfully imported and packaged in retail cartons designed to look like legitimately registered pesticide sold in the United States. These products may be packaged incorrectly and mislabeled and thus can endanger pets and their owners, as well as undercut legitimate businesses that have registered their products and included the proper safety labeling. The EPA’s pesticide regulations require registration and approved labels on all pesticide products before they are sold in the United States. Pesticides registered with the agency have an EPA registration number on the label. The agency will not register a pesticide without information that shows it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to the directions. The agency ensures that pesticide labels provide consumers with the information they need to use the products safely. The EPA's September actions follow up on a series of enforcement actions the agency took earlier this year against illegal pesticide traffickers. Last March the EPA took actions against 56 companies in seven states, ordering each of them to stop selling unregistered pesticide pet products. "Stop Sale" orders were issued to 56 retailers and distributors in California, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma. "Consumers should look closely at the labels of pesticide products they purchase to ensure they've been registered with the EPA," said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the EPA's Cross Media Division in San Francisco. "In the meantime, we are continuing to keep a close watch throughout the Western U.S. and beyond for companies producing and selling illegal pesticide pet products. As evidenced by our recent actions, we will go after companies who try to skirt federal pesticide law in the interest of making a quick buck."
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