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Hughson Chemical agrees to pay U.S. EPA $51,480 to resolve pesticide violations

Release Date: 8/22/2005
Contact Information: Margot Perez-Sullivan, 415-947-4149; [email protected]

SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined the Hughson Chemical Co. $51,480 today for allegedly distributing and selling misbranded pesticides in violation of federal pesticides regulations.

The EPA cited Hughson Chemical – of Hughson, Calif. – for selling and distributing pesticide products known as Gramoxone Max, Gramoxone Extra, First Choice Gavicide Super 90, and Roundup Ultra Max with pesticide labeling that did not include registration number identifying the facility where each pesticide was produced. In addition, Hughson was cited for making pesticides in a facility that is not registered with the EPA.

"EPA registration for the manufacturing facility, as well as proper labeling of the facility's pesticides, enables federal and state agencies to better track and regulate these products for consumer protection," said Enrique Manzanilla, director of the EPA's Communities and Ecosystems Division in the Pacific Southwest Region.

The enforcement case was based on information obtained during inspections of Hughson by the California Department of Pesticide Regulation on in 2003.

Under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, each pesticide manufacturer must register its facility with EPA and annually report its pesticide production. Production records provide information on the quantities of pesticides produced and distributed. In addition, the number assigned to the establishment must appear on the label.

These reports and labeling requirements allow the tracking of pesticide products back to the companies that produce them and are necessary to ensure safe management and distribution of these pesticides.

For more information on pesticide regulation and enforcement, please visit EPA's web page at:
https://www.epa.gov/compliance/civil/fifra/index.html