ASSOCIATED PRESS

April 18, 2006

Growers, Farm Labor Contractor Fined In Pesticide Overspray

BAKERSFIELD -- Two growers and a farm labor contractor have been fined $28,800 for using pesticides that allegedly drifted off site and made workers in a neighboring field sick.

The Kern County Department of Agriculture has proposed fines for two incidents in August, where pesticides applied to fields of Val Mar Farms fields drifted and made workers picking grapes for Seventh Standard Ranch Co. sick, according to the county.

Val Mar, fined $26,500, received the bulk of the penalty. Farm labor contractor America's Labor Supply and Seventh Standard Ranch were fined for not taking their employees to a doctor immediately.

"These proposed fines and the ongoing prevention efforts are designed to deter pesticide violations and prevent future incidents in Kern County," Agricultural Commissioner David J. Moore said.

The companies have 20 days to appeal the fine. Phone messages left with Val Mar Farms and Seventh Standard Ranch were not immediately returned.