Agrichemical Company Allegedly Imports Misbranded Pesticide
Albaugh, Inc., an agrichemical company based in Ankeny, Iowa, has agreed to pay a $27,360 civil penalty to the United States to settle allegations related to the importation of nearly 1,000 tons of misbranded pesticide from Argentina.
According to a consent agreement and final order filed in Kansas City, Kan., Albaugh violated the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) by importing a total of 1,990,440 pounds of the misbranded pesticide 2,4-D Acid to the Kansas City Port of Entry during March and April.
The six shipments, comprising a total of 1,026 bags of the pesticide, were delivered to Albaugh’s facility at 4900 Stockyards Expressway, in St. Joseph, Mo.
Under FIFRA, the bags were considered to be misbranded because they did not have required labeling that must include directions for the safe and proper use and handling of the pesticide. Albaugh was ordered to hold the material until it was relabeled with the correct information.
As part of the consent agreement, Albaugh has certified that it is now in compliance with FIFRA and its regulations.
Designated as an herbicide, 2,4-D is used in many products to kill weeds, often in mixtures that contain other herbicides. It comes in several forms, including salts, esters and acids, according to the National Pesticide Information Center.