BECQ active on site inspections for illegal pesticide products

The Bureau of Environmental and Coastal Quality has been vigorous in conducting site inspections to crack down on the sale of illegally imported misbranded, unregistered pesticides and pesticide devices in the Commonwealth.

BECQ staff have been diligently inspecting distributors, retailers and wholesalers to ensure that illegal pesticide products are not on store shelves for resale to the public. Over the last month, a number of businesses have been issued notice of violations as well as violation fines due to the failure of businesses in removing these illegal products promptly. Just several weeks ago, BECQ issued another hefty violation fine of $3,000.00 to a retailer for the importation and resale of illegal unregistered pesticide devices.

BECQ administrator Frank Rabauliman is reminding all distributors, retailers, and wholesalers that all pesticide products to be imported, sold, or used in the Commonwealth must have the required labeling that conforms to US EPA requirements. He encourages businesses to take immediate action to remove illegal pesticides from their storefronts or establishments to avoid hefty violation fines and fees.

“The importation, sale and use of illegal pesticides puts the health and safety of our communities at risk,” Rabauliman said. “Store owners and wholesalers have a responsibility to make sure the pesticide chemicals and devices they import and sell have the required EPA labels.”

Before a pesticide product is registered, the producer of the product must provide data from tests conducted according to Environmental Protection Agency guidelines to ensure that the product will not be harmful to people’s health or natural resources. EPA examines the ingredients and the way in which the product will be used and assesses a wide variety of potential human health and environmental effects associated with its use. Distributors and retailers are responsible for ensuring that all pesticides distributed and sold fully comply with the law.

Under CNMI pesticide regulation, it is also unlawful for any person within the CNMI to offer to deliver to another person any pesticide that is unregistered, misbranded, banned, or cancelled.

For more information about the status of legality of a pesticide, contact the Pesticide Program at 664-8500/11 or send an email to storagetankspesticides@deq.gov.mp . You are also encouraged to visit www.deq.gov.mp for general information about pesticides or to download the pesticide regulations. (BECQ)