January 27, 2009

Missouri Business Fined for Violating Missouri Pesticide Use Act

(JEFFERSON CITY, MO) – The Missouri Department of Agriculture announced today that a Sikeston businessman has been fined by the department for violating state pesticide regulations.

Mike Hall, a commercial pesticide applicator, was fined for applying pesticides in a manner inconsistent with label instructions, a violation of the Missouri Pesticide Use Act. In a written agreement with the Department of Agriculture’s Plant Industries Division, Mr. Hall agreed to pay a $2000.00 civil penalty and an additional sum of $7000.00 to be used for programs or projects supporting the New Madrid County School District. The agreement also suspends Mr. Hall’s Missouri pesticide applicator license for the 2009 growing season, requiring him to perform commercial pesticide applications under the direct supervision of a qualified applicator.

The Pesticide Use Act, which regulates pesticide application and handling, requires certain pesticide applicators and dealers to be licensed and to maintain records of pesticide use and sales. The Act also requires that pesticides be used and disposed of according to label instructions.

The Department’s Bureau of Pesticide Control was notified of the incident in a telephone call from a parent of a student involved in the incident. A subsequent investigation revealed that the pesticide application in question was not performed in accordance with label directions.