Three U.S. pesticide distributors fined for illegal imports

Three pesticide distributors operating Washington State will be fined over $35,000 for mislabeling products and importing illegal pesticides, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced yesterday.

Skyline Chemical, LLC, Axss USA and Pace International will pay penalties for violations of the Federal insecticide, fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

According to EPA, Skyline failed to follow proper pesticide registration and labeling rules, which could increase risks associated with the handling and use of these pesticides.

In the cases of Axss USA and Pace International, EPA inspectors in Seattle identified the unlabeled pesticides during inspections of containers that arrived from China. All pesticides must be appropriately labeled to legally enter the U.S. Unlabeled pesticides can pose a great risk to those involved in their transport and storage, especially during spills.

"EPA continually monitors pesticide imports for correct labeling because unlabeled products can be dangerous and really harm people,” Scott Downey, Pesticide Manager in EPA’s Seattle office said in a prepared release. “Companies that sell and distribute mislabeled pesticides risk steep fines.”

Skyline Chemical, LLC

The company sold and distributed unregistered and misbranded pesticides, produced pesticides in an unregistered facility, and failed to report the amounts of pesticides produced each year. These violations greatly increase the risk posed to distributors and users because the pesticides were not traceable to their source.

EPA identified the violations based on an inspection conducted by the Washington State Department of Agriculture in 2008 at the Skyline Chemical facility in Farmington, Washington. EPA is fining the company $24,960.

Axss USA

On June 3, 2010 and June 25, 2010, EPA inspected a shipment of the company’s Axss USA 2,4-D Acid Technical, a commonly used broadleaf herbicide. The shipment was targeted because of prior import compliance violations. The inspectors found that the product was missing all the required pesticide labeling. EPA is fining the company $5,760. Axss USA is based in Greeley, Colorado and was importing pesticides through the Port of Seattle.

Pace International

On July 13, 2010, EPA inspected a shipment of Pace International’s Chlorpropham 98% Technical, a product used to control the sprouting of potatoes in storage. EPA found that the product was also missing the entire pesticide label and is fining the company $4,800. Pace International is based in Seattle.