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For
immediate release THURSDAY, APRIL 15, 2004
Contact: Byron Brewer
(502) 564-4696
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| "Each
spring, we in the Department receive many complaints
from home gardeners, farmers and others who purchase
ineffective chemicals ..."
Commissioner
Richie Farmer
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FRANKFORT,
Ky. — If it sounds too good to be true, chances
are it is. Kentucky Department of Agriculture officials
say several vendors usually appear across the Bluegrass
State about this time every year, selling ineffective
chemicals at seemingly cut-rate prices.
“Each spring, we in the Department receive many
complaints from home gardeners, farmers and others who
purchase ineffective chemicals over the telephone or
on the Internet,” said Agriculture Commissioner
Richie Farmer. “The sellers of these products
usually claim they’re comparable to well-known
national brands -- and for some folks, the seemingly
cheaper prices are hard to resist.”
Pressure tactics are frequently used by sellers of such
chemicals. “If the seller tells you to buy his
product now or the deal will be gone forever, that’s
a strong indication that his product is no good,”
said Barry Skipper, Director of the Division of Environmental
Services. “It’s always a good idea to review
the labels of the comparable chemicals the seller names
before buying any product”.
KDA’s Ken Franks works with licensed pesticide
retailers throughout Kentucky and says if you are considering
buying a chemical product over the phone or on the Internet,
you should ask the seller several questions:
· Ask
for the product’s EPA registration number.
· Call
the KDA to ensure the product is registered for use
in Kentucky.
· Ask
for the product’s active ingredients and record
the percentages of each.
· Ask
how many square feet or acres the product will cover.
· Request
complete directions for use of the product.
· Ask
for the company’s name, address and telephone
number.
· Compare
the product to a similar one offered by your local retailer.
· Ask
if the seller has a license to sell in Kentucky and
ask for his license number.
· Keep
a record of all of this information.
“You should never buy a product that requires
cash upon delivery,” Franks said. “Sometimes
these vendors will send you the product whether you
ordered it or not, so be careful about who you talk
with.”
For more information, contact Franks by phone at (502)
564-7274 or by e-mail at ken.franks@kyagr.com.
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