Monterey Co. Agricultural Commissioner proposes fines for 2018 pesticide exposures
SALINAS, Calif. (KION) The Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner's Office has announced fines and violations related to a 2018 pesticide exposure people that left several Salinas residents, including children, sick.
On Oct. 22 of that year, a pest control company conducted soil fumigation to 16 acres of strawberry beds, and during the application, workers saw a large amount of flooding in furrows at lower field elevations. The Ag Commissioner's Office said workers tried to cover the flooding with dirt.
Between noon and 9 p.m. on that day, 13 residents, seven of them children, in the neighborhood next to the farm reported eye, nose and throat irritation along with coughing. Two people got medical care for their symptoms.
While investigating, the office found several violations under the Food and Agricultural Code and Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations. The violations included failing to perform pest control in a careful and effective manner and failing to follow Restricted Material Permit conditions.
As a result, the county proposed a $26,200 fine against Ramirez Jr. Berry Farms and issued a proposed $62,400 fine against Trical, Inc. Trical's fine would be the largest ever issued by the Ag Commissioner's Office.
“We have the most robust pesticide enforcement program in the nation, but it only works if all the laws and regulations are followed. Strong enforcement of the laws and regulations help to protect the health and wellbeing of workers, children, and other Monterey County residents,” said Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales.
Recently, the Agricultural Commissioner proposed a $33,000 against another strawberry grower, Reiter Rodriguez. In 2018, six employees experienced headaches and nausea after being exposed to pesticides. The Ag Commissioner's Office said the workers did not receive the required notification, and one worker got medical attention.
