N.C. Pesticide Board announces settlements

The N.C. Pesticide Board recently approved the following settlement agreements for individuals and companies in Ashe, Duplin, Lenoir, Pender and Wilson counties.

Justin M. Barker, field manager for Shatley Farms in West Jefferson, agreed to pay $700 for using pesticide in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Barker treated a Christmas tree field with Dimethoate 4EC pesticide, which is highly toxic to bees. Barker’s neighbor experienced loss to his hive after the application.

Brian Jenkins, warehouse manager for Harvey Fertilizer & Gas Co. in Kinston, agreed to pay $400 for selling restricted-use pesticides to Joe C. Sholar of Sholar Farm Supply in Wallace. At the time of the shipments, no one at Sholar Farm Supply was a licensed pesticide dealer.

In a related settlement, Joe C. Sholar, an employee at Sholar Farm Supply in Wallace, agreed to pay $2,500 for purchasing restricted-use pesticides without a valid pesticide-dealer license.

David F. Rowe of Sonny Row Farm Market in Rocky Point agreed to pay $1,500 for violating Worker Protection Standards. Rowe failed to provide specific information about pesticide applications, provide safety training for workers, post pesticide safety information, restrict access during applications, provide specific information about applications, provide safety training for handlers and have decontamination supplies.

Robert L. Dawson of Wilson agreed to pay $650 for damage caused by drift during a pesticide application. Drift from a pesticide treatment of Dawson’s soybean fields damaged corn plants at an adjacent property.