Univar Canada Ltd. Pleads Guilty to Ten Counts of Violating the Fertilizers Act

Abbotsford, B.C.: Univar Canada Ltd. pled guilty to violating section 24(3) of the Fertilizers Regulations and section 3(a) of the Fertilizers Act at the Abbotsford Provincial Court on December 22, 2010.

The Honourable Judge Hoy assessed a fine of $100,000 against Univar Canada Ltd. for

• two counts of unlawfully moving a detained unregistered fertilizer (zinc sulphate),
• one count of importing this fertilizer, and
• seven counts of selling it.

During an inspection, a Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) inspector found the unregistered fertilizer on sale in Oliver, B.C. The retailer had purchased the fertilizer from Univar Canada Ltd.

On January 18, 2000, the CFIA gave written notice to Univar Canada Ltd., then known as Van Waters & Rogers Ltd., to cease selling unregistered zinc sulphate fertilizer because it violates the Fertilizers Act.

By prohibiting the import or sale of fertilizers that are not duly registered, the Fertilizers Act protects farmers and the public against risks that these products could pose to human, animal and environmental health. The CFIA works with provinces and municipalities so that all fertilizers sold in Canada, or imported into Canada, meet the highest standards for safety and efficacy.

The CFIA enforces federal legislation, including the Fertilizers Act and its regulations. It safeguards consumers by contributing to food safety and by protecting plants and the health of animals in Canada.

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For more information, please contact

Susan Turner
Western Area Communications Manager
Telephone: 403-292-6532