| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Leonard Berry |
| August 10, 2006 | (406) 444-5400 |
Complaints Lead to Charges Against Pesticide Firms
HELENA, Mont. — A New York-based pesticide firm whose products have been the subject of telemarketing complaints in Montana and other states has been cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for multiple violations including unregistered and mislabeled chemicals.
EPA is seeking financial penalties of nearly $1.5 million in separate complaints filed against Topaz Turf Corporation of Holtsville, New York and Southern Chemical Supply, Inc. of Bohemia, New York. The Montana Department of Agriculture provided information to New York state and EPA officials in each of the past four years regarding fraudulent claims attributed to Topaz products identified as SK-132 and TK-10, says Leonard Berry, the department's pesticide program manager.
"Telemarketers have succeeded in persuading Montana residents to spend thousands of dollars for products that are not registered in Montana, and which typically consist of watered-down versions of herbicides you could buy for less money at a home and garden store," Berry says.
He urged consumers to protect themselves by purchasing crop chemicals from companies they know to be reputable, and by taking the time to verify the product is registered with the Montana Department of Agriculture.
Montana consumers who have had problems with telephone solicitations regarding
the sale of pesticides are urged to contact Leonard Berry at the department's
pesticide program at (406) 444-5400 or by email at agr@mt.gov.
