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EPA Cites Leola, Pa., Facility for Violating Federal Pesticide Law

Release Date: 04/03/2006
Contact Information: Mike Frankel, 215-814-2665

PHILADELPHIA - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today announced that it has cited Fisher & Thompson Inc. (F&T) for violating federal pesticide regulations at its facility in Leola, Pa. F&T owns and operates a milking equipment and supply facility at 15 Newport Road in Leola, Pa.

EPA cited F&T for violating the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), a federal law regulating the production, distribution, and use of pesticide products. The regulations include products promoted as anti-bacterial or anti-viral agents.

According to EPA, a February 13, 2004, inspection of this facility by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture documented several FIFRA violations related to an equipment sanitizing product. EPA alleges that F&T purchased an EPA-registered pesticide product called ECOLAB Equipment Sanitizer from a Charlotte, N.C. company. F&T then allegedly removed the original EPA-approved label, and re-labeled and resold over 300 containers of this product as Fisher & Thompson Liquid Chlorinated Sanitizer. The re-labeled product, which F&T did not register under FIFRA, included false and misleading EPA product and facility registration numbers.

FIFRA requires the registration of pesticide products and pesticide-production facilities, and the proper labeling of pesticides. These requirements protect public health and the environment by ensuring the safe production, handling and application of pesticides; and by preventing false, misleading, or unverifiable product claims. FIFRA also prohibits the marketing of misbranded, improperly labeled, or adulterated pesticides.

FIFRA provides a statutory maximum penalty of $5,500 per violation. EPA will propose a penalty after the company has had the opportunity to answer the complaint and provide additional information about the alleged violations. The company has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalty.

For more information about EPA’s pesticide program, visit https://www.epa.gov/pesticides/.