EPA News Release (Region 7): Nature’s Best, LLC, to Pay $19,669 Civil Penalty for Violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 7 11201 Renner Boulevard, Lenexa, KS 66219   Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and Nine Tribal Nations   Nature’s Best, LLC, to Pay $19,669 Civil Penalty for Violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act   Contact Information: Ben Washburn, 913-551-7364, washburn.ben@epa.gov Environmental News   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   (Lenexa, Kan., July 11, 2013) - Nature’s Best, LLC, of Inwood, Iowa, has agreed to pay a $19,669 civil penalty to resolve violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).   The penalty stems from 20 alleged sales or distributions of 18 different unregistered pesticide products, including plant regulators, insecticides, and fungicides, and one count for production of pesticides in a facility that was not registered with EPA as a pesticide-producing establishment from 2010 to 2012. Among other products, the matter involved the sale and distribution of plant growth regulators, which FIFRA regulates as pesticides.   FIFRA defines plant growth regulators as substances intended to accelerate or retard the growth of plants. Among other things, substances considered to be plant regulators may include hormone additives intended to stimulate plant root growth or fruiting, such as gibberellins, auxins, and cytokinins derived from seaweed. Products containing these additives are often marketed as fertilizers, but such claims do not exempt products from regulation as pesticides.   Under FIFRA, distributors of pesticides must ensure that pesticides intended for distribution within the U.S. are registered both if the distributor claims the substance can be used as a pesticide or if the product is intended to be used for a pesticidal purpose, which may include, among other uses, as a plant regulator, insecticide, or fungicide.   Many plant growth regulator products are properly registered with EPA. Companies which comply with pesticide registration requirements must pay registration fees and may also incur significant costs in ensuring their products are correctly formulated, and are properly labeled. Accordingly, entities that produce, sell or distribute unregistered pesticides place themselves at an economic advantage relative to their competitors who comply with the law.   EPA registration requirements protect consumers by ensuring that products are formulated in accordance with the product label. Without proper registration and labeling on pesticides (including required safety information), users may unintentionally misapply pesticides and cause damage to crops or non-target areas and may lack adequate first aid information in the event of an accident.   As part of its settlement with EPA, Nature’s Best, LLC, has certified that it is presently in compliance with FIFRA and its regulations.   # # #   Learn more about EPA’s enforcement of FIFRA   View all Region 7 news releases   Locate this and other Region 7 news items on the News Where You Live interactive map   Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion7   You can unsubscribe or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems, please e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.    This email was sent to buzzhairs@gmail.com using GovDelivery, on behalf of: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355