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U.S. EPA takes action against LG International America, Inc. for improperly imported pesticides

Release Date: 05/14/2009
Contact Information: Francisco Arcaute, (213) 244-1815, cell (213) 798-1404 arcaute.francisco@epa.gov

U.S. EPA takes action against LG International America, Inc. for improperly imported pesticides

LOS ANGELES - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today settled with LG International America, Inc. for $21,840 for allegedly importing pesticides on eight separate occasions without filing “Notices of Arrival,” a requirement of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act.

According to the EPA, between October and December of 2008, LG International America, Inc. imported from South Korea the fungicide “LG Metalaxyl Technical” and the insecticide “LG Permethrin Technical” through the ports of Los Angeles and Houston, Texas. LG International America, Inc. did so without filing the federally-required Notices of Arrival of Pesticides or Devices for the imported pesticides.

"The EPA must review and approve all pesticide imports before the shipment is released by U.S. Customs," said Katherine Taylor, Associate Director for Agriculture for the EPA's Communities and Ecosystems Division for the Pacific Southwest region. “Submission of Notice of Arrival forms prior to the arrival of all pesticide imports allows the EPA to ensure that only properly registered and labeled products gain entry."

The EPA requires the filing of a "Notice of Arrival" prior to the arrival of all imported pesticides into the United States. Companies must submit detailed information on the Notice of Arrival form to allow the EPA to determine if the pesticide is approved for use in the United States or meets one of the few allowable exemptions. Products not registered with the EPA for use in the United States are denied entry and destroyed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or immediately exported back to their country of origin under Customs supervision.

The EPA will not approve pesticide imports unless the product being imported has been tested to show that it will not pose an unreasonable risk when used according to directions. The agency also makes sure that pesticide labels provide consumers with necessary information to use the products safely. Pesticides that have been registered with the agency will have an EPA registration number on the label.

For more information on importing pesticides, please visit:
https://www.epa.gov/Compliance/monitoring/programs/fifra/importexport.html