media release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 6, 2012
Contact: Christi
Lightcap, (303) 239-4190, Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us
CDA Reminder: Japanese Beetle
Quarantine Continues
John Deere Landscapes, Inc. Pays
$5,576 Civil Penalty
LAKEWOOD,
Colo. – An investigation by the Colorado Department of Agriculture into
violations of Colorado's quarantine
against the Japanese beetle (8 CCR 1203-21) imposed under the Pest Control Act
§§ 35-4-101—116, C.R.S., has concluded
with a Stipulation and Order against John Deere Landscapes, Inc.
“This
case serves as an important reminder that the quarantine and Pest Control Act are
in place to protect our ecosystem from a pest that can destroy our landscapes,”
said CDA’s nursery program manager, Laura Pottorff. “The Japanese beetle is the most widespread
turf-grass, fruit tree, and ornamental landscape pest in the United States and
it is imperative that the quarantine and Act be followed.”
In May
and June 2011, John Deere Landscapes, based in Delaware, ordered 207 containers
of ornamental grass and 20 trees from an Elkhorn, Nebraska company. Those items were then shipped to Buckley Air
Force Base, where they were planted. Elkhorn,
NE, is in an area known to be infested with the Japanese beetle. The plants were imported into Colorado and
planted without the proper treatment or certification that they were free of
the quarantined pest.
Pursuant
to the Colorado Pesticide Act, CDA may impose civil penalties of up to $1,000
for each violation. Under the terms of the Stipulation
and Order , John Deere Landscapes was required to pay $5,576. The rest of the fine will be vacated in two
years if the company complies with all
of the stipulation's requirements including providing the location of the
plants and hiring a licensed commercial pesticide applicator to appropriately
treat the plants.
The
Japanese beetle is a highly destructive plant pest that can be very difficult
and expensive to control. Feeding on grass roots, Japanese beetle grubs damage
lawns, golf courses, and pastures. Japanese beetle adults attack the foliage,
flowers, or fruits of more than 300 different ornamental and agricultural
plants.
The Japanese
beetle quarantine is supported by both the Colorado Nursery industry and
Colorado fruit growers. For more
information on Colorado’s Japanese beetle program, visit www.colorado.gov/ag/dpi and click on
“Nursery Program.”
Additional
Information on the Japanese beetle:
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/pubs/insect/05601.html
###
Editor’s Note: A copy of the Stipulation
and Order may be obtained by emailing Christi.lightcap@ag.state.co.us.