EPA Issues an Adminstrative Complaint Against Micro-Flo, LLC for Violations of Pesticide Regulations.

Business Editors & Environmental Writers

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 13, 2001

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced today that a Complaint has been issued against Micro Flo, LLC, (Micro-Flo) for violations of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

The Complaint assessed a civil penalty of $3,701,500. Historically, this penalty is significant becuase it is the largest penalty issued under FIFRA by EPA, Region 4. The company is a subsidiary of BASF Corporation, and is in the business of formulating and selling pesticde products.

The Complaint issued on September 12, 2001, included 673 counts. The Complaint primarily alleges that Micro-Flo offered for distribution or sale several pesticide end-use products and active ingredient pesticides which differed in compostions(s) at the time of sale or distribution from the composition(s) described in the statement(s) required in connection with the registration(s); and that Micro-Flo falsified the Notices of Arrivals (NOAs) accompanying multiple shipments of pesticide active ingredients, by using the EPA Establishment Number of an approved producer while importing the pesticide ingredients from respective unapproved producers.

During the period of May 9-12, 2000, an EPA inspector conducted a producer establishment inspection at Micro-Flo's primary pesticide formulation plant in Sparks (Cook County), Georgia. In addition, on May 10-11, 2000, an EPA inspector conducted a comprehensive inspection at Micro-Flo's warehouse located in Tifton, Georgia. Based upon the findings at the respective inspections and EPA's review of records submitted by Micro-Flo, EPA determined that Micro-Flo was in violation of FIFRA.