Training and gear found lacking
Kristin Collins, Staff Writer

Ag-Mart, the company accused of hundreds of pesticide violations that might have caused birth defects in its workers’ children, has again failed to protect employees who work with dangerous chemicals, state agriculture officials say.

Late last month, the state Department of Agriculture’s pesticide section issued a new notice of violation against the Florida-based company, which grows hundreds of acres of grape tomatoes in southeastern North Carolina.

The notice charges that workers using methyl bromide — a gas injected into soil to kill insects, weeds, rodents and diseases and that can have severe health effects on humans — did not have proper training or safety equipment. It fined the company $3,000 for violating six pesticide laws.

Company spokesman Leo Bottary declined to comment.

State pesticide enforcement manager Pat Jones said he did not know whether Ag-Mart would contest the fine or pay it.

The charges stem from a worker’s complaint in March that he was refused protective gear while he worked with chemicals that burned his skin and eyes. Carol Brooke, a lawyer with the N.C. Justice Center, which advocates for the poor and represents some Ag-Mart employees, called state officials on the worker’s behalf. Brooke said the worker wanted to remain anonymous. (more….)