Bob Spencer Agriculture Program Manager (208) 332-8613 bspencer@idahoag

1. Bob SpencerAgriculture Program Manager(208) 332-8613bspencer@idahoag.us Division of Agricultural Resources

2. Idaho/Eastern Oregon Onion Association And Idaho/Malheur County Onion Growers

3. August 16, 2006 the ISDA received notice from EPA regarding the possible misuse of Furadan on onions in Idaho and Eastern Oregon to control Onion Thrips. Onion Thrips transmit a serious disease known as Yellow Iris Spot Virus. Furadan is not labeled on onions. Furadan is labeled on: alfalfa; cotton; corn; potatoes; wheat, barley, oats; soybeans; sunflowers; tobacco; sugar beets. What is labeled to control thrips on onions? Warrior; Diazinon; Lannate; Vydate; Methyl-parathion; MSR; Malathion; Carzol The Complaint

4. 1970 data for Furadan on Onions From FMC One pre-plant application at 2 qts/acre

5. The Investigation

6. Letters were sent to pesticides dealers in Canyon, Payette, Owyhee and Washington counties requesting all sales records of Furadan from Dec. 2005 through August 2006 September 1, 2006, letters were sent to onion growers in Canyon, Payette, Owyhee and Washington counties regarding the alleged misuse of Furadan on onions and requesting assistance from growers regarding any knowledge of the misuse to assist ISDA with the investigation The Investigation (cont.)

7. The Investigation (cont.) • September 5, 2006, samples were collected from suspect fields • Capitol Press was contacted to inform the media of the investigations conducted by the ISDA and the ODA • September 6, 2006, a meeting was held with shippers association and all onions were to be sampled with the assistance of ISDA and ODA prior to shipping

8. The Investigation (cont.) September 7, 2006, the ISDA received a tip that Idaho onions were being dumped and disked under in Oregon Approximately 312,000 to 345,000 pounds of onions

9. Repercussion from misuse • All growers have to test onions for carbofuran residues • Restaurants pull onions from menu nationwide

10. The Investigation • ISDA identified 13 growers representing 9 farms who used Furadan on onions in Canyon, Owyhee, Payette, Washington Co. • September 9, 2006, the ISDA receives positive hits of carbofuran in onion bulbs

11. The Investigation • What happens when there are no label directions? • Application rates and timings • 14 oz/acre on July 30, 2006 • 2 pts/acre on June 14, 2006 and June 16, 2006 • 2 pts/acre mid-late June; 2nd application in July • All applications were broadcast

12. Violations Identified • Growers • 22-3420(1) use inconsistent with the label • Furadan use on onions • Failure to post fields for Worker Protection • 22-3404(3) unlicensed private applicator • 22-3420(15) conspire; aid and abet • 22-3406 unlicensed dealer

13. Violations Identified • Dealers • 22-3420(15) aid and abet • Supplying growers with Furadan to be applied on onions • Sales were made in mid June and in July • 22-3406 unlicensed dealer

14. Penalties • Administrative penalties • Civil penalty $3,000 per violation • License modification, suspension, revocation, denial • Criminal penalties • $100 to $1,000 per violation • 3 months up to 1 year in jail per violation • Misdemeanor • Case has been referred to the Deputy Attorney General for review and assessment of a civil penalty and/or license suspension, modification, or revocation, denial • Should the ISDA publicize names and penalties of violators?

15. Other Concerns: Yellow Nutsedge Control • Fall applications of Dual Magnum on onions • SLN for Dual Magnum post emergence – two leaf stage • Syngenta needs to apply for SLN for fall applications • Maximum rate per season is 2.68 pts/acre on existing SLN • Basagran on onions • Bogus supplemental labeling being distributed

16. THANK YOU! ANY QUESTIONS? Bob Spencer Division of Agricultural Resources (208) 332-8613 bspencer@idahoag.us