Director’s Decision on an Appeal of a County Agricultural Commissioner Decision (Docket Number 160)

Enclosed is Administrative Docket Number 160, which contains the Director’s Decision on an Appeal of an Agricultural Civil Penalty, levied against Lilac Valley Ranch/Duane Urquhart by the San Diego County Agricultural Commissioner (CAC) for violations of Title 3, California Code of Regulations sections 6702 and 6734.

The Director upheld the CAC’s findings. The Appellant stipulated to the facts surrounding the violations and the violations, but asserted that he should not be fined for the poor judgement of his workers. Employers shall take reasonable measures to assure that employees handle and use pesticides in accordance with the requirements of law, regulations, and pesticide product labeling requirements. The Director’s decision also addressed classifications of the violations by the CAC and the Hearing Officer.

Please make this information available to your staff so they can use it as a training tool in preparing cases.

If you have any questions, please contact Mr. Louis Watson, Senior Special Investigator, at 916-445-3894, or the Enforcement Branch Liaison assigned to your county.

Sincerely,