US Watsonville farmer fined for illegal methomyl use

A US Watsonville strawberry farmer agreed to pay a fine and destroy some of his berries after state regulators found he used an illegal pesticide on them.

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation announced a settlement agreement with Lorenzo Lopez of V.L. Farms on Thursday. Lopez acknowledged illegally using the insecticide methomyl and agreed to destroy 10 acres of his 20-acre farm.

The 10 acres' value is estimated at $200,000, and Lopez must also pay a $15,000 penalty.

Methomyl was once used by California growers to control lygus bugs in strawberries, but DPR stopped allowing its use in 2010.

The agency discovered methomyl residue on the strawberries in April during routine produce residue sampling at a food warehouse in Southern California. DPR says it then traced the berries to Lopez.

“This is a significant action that should deter anyone who considers breaking our regulations,” DPR Director Brian Leahy said. “DPR works closely with local county agricultural commissioners to ensure that growers adhere to the state’s stringent pesticide rules, which make California’s produce the safest in the nation.”

The DPR investigation found a number of violations including:
• Using a pesticide in a manner that conflicts with the registered label
• Using the restricted pesticide without a written permit from the County Agricultural Commissioner
• Unlawful packing, shipping or selling of produce that carries pesticide in excess of the permissible level