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Complaints filed with the state Agriculture Department
by Dan Gunderson, Minnesota Public Radio
February 17, 2003

Moorhead, Minn. — A summary of complaints filed with the state Department of Agriculture, alleging human exposure to pesticides, finds that in 75 percent of those cases there is no penalty assessed against the responsible party. In 40 percent of those cases, no action was taken at all.

1997:

100 total complaints
20 human exposure complaints = 20 percent of total
14: No Action
4: Advisory Notice - No Penalty
1: Notice of Violation – No Penalty
1: Negotiated Penalty
No penalty assessed in 95 percent of cases

1998:

211 total complaints
43 human exposure complaints = 20 percent of total
25: No Action
6: Notice of Violation – No Penalty
6: Notice of Intent to take action
3: Advisory Notice- No Penalty
1: Referred for Enforcement
1: Negotiated Penalty
1: Cease and Desist order
No penalty in 80 percent of cases

1999:

138 total complaints
9 human exposure complaints = 5 percent of total
5: No Action
1: Notice of Violation – No Penalty
3: Notice of Intent to take action
No penalty in 66 percent of cases

2000:

141 total complaints
14 human exposure complaints = 10 percent of total
5: No Action
2: Advisory Notice- No Penalty
2: Notice of Intent to take action
2: Referred for enforcement
1: Action not listed
1: Cease and Desist order
No penalty in 80 percent of cases

2001:

98 total complaints
5 human exposure complaints = 5 percent of total
1: No Action
1: Advisory Notice
3: Notice of Intent to take action
No penalty in 40 percent of cases

2002:

107 total complaints
5 human exposure complaints = 4 percent of total
All cases are still open

(Based on incomplete information provided by the state Agriculture Department)

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