FORT MYERS (Florida) NEWS-PRESS

May 1, 2009

Inspectors find pesticide violation at Immokalee farm

State inspectors found a single violation at an Immokalee farm in its investigation into an allegation of pesticide misuse, according to a report released Friday.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services started the investigation on April 15 in response to an allegation that a potential pesticide exposure at Johnson Plants interfered with two pregnancies and caused workers to suffer.

"One area of non-compliance with the Worker Protection Standard requirements was identified during this investigation," the report read. "After a complete review of the case file regarding this investigation, the allegations that workers were exposed to pesticides ... were not substantiated."

Steven Dwinell, an assistant director with the department, said his agency was still finalizing any potential penalties.

"It would be unfair to comment on this at this point."