Reiter Berry Farms Pays $195,200 to Settle Pesticide Drift Case that Sickened 27 Ag Workers

MONTEREY, California – Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni announced on Friday, January 10 that her Environmental Protection Unit entered into a stipulated judgment with Reiter Berry Farms, Inc. to settle a pesticide drift incident that occurred on June 28, 2017 that sickened 27 berry harvesters employed by Azcona Harvesting, LLC. Reiter Berry Farms, Inc. markets its berries under the Driscoll’s label. The judgment requires Reiter Berry Farms to pay $195,200 in civil penalties and costs.
On the day of the incident, employees of Reiter Berry Farms began applying pesticides, adjuvants, and fertilizers to the Hartnell Ranch in Salinas at approximately 5:30 a.m. At around 6:30 a.m., a harvesting crew arrived at a neighboring farm and began harvesting berries. Within two hours, the harvesting crew began developing symptoms of pesticide exposure including vomiting, nausea, dizziness, eye irritation, and headaches, among other symptoms.
Reiter Berry Farms self-reported the alleged drift to the Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office that same day. The Agricultural Commissioner’s Office investigated this incident and provided an opportunity to the District Attorney’s Office to pursue an action as a “priority investigation,” as it is required to do when five or more people become ill. Agricultural Commissioner Henry Gonzales said, “We have the most robust pesticide enforcement program in the nation, but it only works if all the laws and regulations are followed. Farmworker health and safety are of paramount importance to Monterey County agriculture.”
Reiter Berry Farms cooperated with the District Attorney’s Office during its investigation of this matter and has agreed to a permanent injunction that requires them to provide all neighboring property owners and operators with 24 hours prior notice before they begin a pesticide application.
Deputy District Attorney Emily Hickok cautions “coordination amongst farmers and neighboring properties is crucial to ensure that agricultural workers and the general public are not exposed to pesticides through drift.