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United States Environmental Protection Agency
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EPA reaches agreement with Greener Pastures; Includes $25,000 fine and immediate sale stoppage

CONTACT:
Kären Thompson, (312) 353-8547

For Immediate Release
No. 04-OPA102


CHICAGO (July 29, 2004) — U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 recently reached agreement with Greener Pastures Development Corp., Oakdale, Minn. Under the agreement, the company will pay a $25,000 penalty for illegally selling and distributing four unregistered pesticides; two for use in controlling algae in ponds and two for killing weeds in lawns.

EPA ordered Greener Pastures to stop selling, distributing or using all unregistered pesticides, including but not limited to “Tiger-by-the-Tail,” “Nature’s Weed & Feed 7-0-7,” “Nature’s Weed Control for Ponds,” and “Clarify.” In addition to the fine and stop-sale order, Greener Pastures must remove all pesticidal claims from its Web sites, advertising, labeling or other communications.

EPA worked closely with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), the state’s lead agency for pesticide enforcement. MDA performed inspections and provided testimony in support of EPA’s action. The collaboration between the state and federal agencies was instrumental in reaching this agreement.

According to Karl Bremer, chief of EPA Region 5's pesticides and toxics branch, “Consumers should make sure that any product with pesticidal claims is registered with EPA. Only then can they be certain that the product will not cause adverse effects on the environment or people.”

EPA registers all pesticides and pesticide products under the federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. Except for certain limited exceptions, no pesticide may be legally sold or used in the United States unless its label has an EPA registration number. It is also unlawful to use any registered pesticides in a manner other than that indicated on the product label.

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