Westech fined for misusing pesticide
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Here to Add CommentSubject: Westech fined for misusing pesticide
Date:
Sun, 19 May 2002 18:19:25 -0400
From: Stephen Tvedten <steve@getipm.com>
Organization: Get Set Inc. (www.getipm.com)
To: Paul Helliker <phelliker@cdpr.ca.gov>
Director, State of California, Department of Pesticide
Regulation
cc: Christine Whitman whitman.christine@epa.gov
Dear Mr, Helliker, I thought you might like to read an article dated: May 18, 2002 from the Charlottetown Guardian entitled: Westech fined for misusing pesticide By Jim Day.
Health Canada has fined a strawberry plant in Alberton for improper pesticide use following an incident last year that made several farm workers ill and outraged residents.
The federal department's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) Friday released to the media partial findings of its investigation of soil fumigants by Westech Agriculture Ltd. from an incident on Oct. 15, 2001.
PMRA says Westech contravened the federal Pest Control Products Act. The nature of the violation relates to use of the soil fumigant Vapam being inconsistent with the label directions.
"We do believe that they contravened the regulations,'' said Neil McTiernan, Atlantic regional manager of PMRS.
However, McTiernan said he "can't get into details at this point'' as to the exact manner in which Westech misused the pesticide.
He said the company has until late June to either pay a fine or to appeal the decision. He wouldn't give the exact penalty noting only that the fine is between $250 and $6,000.
In a statement, the PMRA said it does release the outcome of the administrative monetary penalties process when it's completed.
"The agency's goal in enforcement is to encourage and achieve compliance,'' said PMRA.
McTiernan said Westech's operation will be monitored by Health Canada.
"It is our standard procedure to do follow-up inspection,'' he said.
The investigation by Health Canada followed complaints of pesticide exposure in Alberton last year.
P.E.I. chief health officer Dr. Lamont Sweet said the Oct. 15 incident resulted in some Westech workers showing symptoms compatible to pesticide poisoning, including respiratory problems and numbness. Some required oxygen.
Pam Corrigan said her 13-year-old daughter became ill from exposure to pesticide at the nearby strawberry plant on the day in question. The girl had symptoms similar to those of the sick farm workers.
In an interview with The Guardian in late February, Corrigan said she was looking for assurances no further incidents of pesticide exposure will occur in Alberton.
More than 400 people signed a petition calling on town council to establish a one-kilometre pesticide-free zone from any occupied residences, building, school, church, hospital and manor.
Environmental activist Sharon Labchuk of Earth Action has described the incident of pesticide exposure last year as unacceptable. She has been demanding measures to prevent a repeat? or worse ? incident from taking place.
She said Vapam, the pesticide at the heart of the fine against Westech, is simply too dangerous to use on P.E.I. She said Vapam is a soil fumigant designed to kill a wide variety of organisms prior to planting.
Westech owner Nora Dorgan did not return The Guardian's call
© Copyright 2002 Charlottetown Guardian
http://www.canada.com/search/site/story.asp?id=BD79647A-CF33-4F2B-8BBF-E7BECC8A3A6A
Saturday, May 18, 2002
P.E.I. strawberry plant facing fine for making workers sick
A P.E.I. strawberry plant is facing a fine after several workers were sickened by pesticide.
Federal officials say Westech Agriculture in Alberton misused the soil fumigant Vapam during an incident in October, 2001.
The company has until late June to either pay a fine of up to $6,000, or appeal the decision.
Health Canada launched an investigation after receiving complaints of pesticide exposure.
© Copyright 2002 Broadcast News
Westech Agriculture Ltd.
Nora
Dorgan, Manager
Bus: (902) 853-4184
Fax: (902) 853-3298
E-mail:
westech.nora@pei.sympatico.ca
RR
#1
Alberton P.E.I.
C0B 1B0
Neil
McTiernan
Regional Manager
Bus: (506) 851-7876
Fax: (506) 851-2689
Pest
Management Regulatory Agency - ATL
Health Canada
1081 Main Street
PO Box: PO Box 6088
Moncton, NB
E1C 8R2
Well Mr. Helliker, if you took your fists to several innocent people and made them ill, I bet you would have to pay more than this little fine.
Respectfully, Stephen L. Tvedten
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