U.S. E.P.A. takes action against LG International America, Incorporated for improperly imported pesticides

U.S. E.P.A. takes action against LG International America, Incorporated for improperly imported pesticides

LOS ANGELES - The E.P.A. today settled with LG International America, Incorporated for $21,840 for allegedly importing pesticides on 8 separate occasions without filing "Notices of Arrival," a requirement of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

According to the EPA, between October and December of 2008, LG International America, Incorporated imported from South Korea the fungicide "LG Metalaxyl Technical" and the insecticide "LG Permethrin Technical" through the ports of Los Angeles and Houston, Texas. LG International America, Incorporated did so without filing the federally-required Notices of Arrival of Pesticides or Devices for the imported pesticides.

"The E.P.A. must review and approve all pesticide imports before the shipment is released by U.S. Customs," said Katherine Taylor, Associate Director for Agriculture for the EPA's Communities and Ecosystems Division for the Pacific Southwest region. "Submission of Notice of Arrival forms prior to the arrival of all pesticide imports allows the E.P.A. to ensure that only properly registered and labeled products gain entry."

The E.P.A. requires the filing of a "Notice of Arrival" prior to the arrival of all imported pesticides into the United States. Companies must submit detailed information on the Notice of Arrival form to allow the E.P.A. to determine if the pesticide is approved for use in the U.S. or meets one of the few allowable exemptions. Products not registered with the E.P.A. for use in the U.S. are denied entry and destroyed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or immediately exported back to their country of origin under Customs supervision.

The E.P.A. will not approve pesticide imports unless the product being imported has been tested to show that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to directions. The agency also makes sure that pesticide labels provide consumers with necessary information to use the products safely. Pesticides that have been registered with the agency will have an E.P.A. registration number on the label.

For more information on importing pesticides, please visit:
http://www.epa.gov/Compliance/monitoring/programs/fifra/importexport.html

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