| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Leonard Berry |
| June 16, 2006 | (406) 444-5400 |
Beware of Telemarketers Selling Crop Chemicals
HELENA, Mont. — Agriculture producers facing increased expenses should be aware of telemarketing scams pitching less expensive, overrated crop protection chemicals.
Each year, the Montana Department of Agriculture receives complaints of questionable chemical sales by vendors using dishonest business tactics. Often the telemarketers will make false claims to make products more appealing to potential buyers.
Making false claims about a pesticide is a violation of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act and the Montana Pesticide Act. While this is both a civil and criminal violation, it is hard to stop the telemarketers without the help of consumers.
The department recommends that producers ask these questions before agreeing to purchase anything:
• Is the product registered for use in the State of Montana?
• What is the seller’s Montana pesticide dealer license number?
• What is the product’s U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) registration number? Printed labels and material safety data sheets
should be available for inspection. Using the number, individuals can review
the label on an EPA website at: http://oaspub.epa.gov/pestlabl/ppls.home
• What is the name and percentage of the active ingredients in the
product? How does this compare with other products registered for the same
use?
• What is the sales company's name, address and telephone number?
Your safest option is to buy crop protection chemicals and services from reputable Montana dealers or companies who are qualified and licensed to do business in Montana, says Nancy K. Peterson, director of the Montana Department of Agriculture. As the old saying goes, "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is."
Producers who want more information about pesticide and applicator licensing in Montana, or who would like to report a questionable sales call are urged to contact Leonard Berry at the Montana Department of Agriculture, (406) 444-5400 or by e-mail at agr@mt.gov.
