News Release

For immediate release
September 20, 2007

MATTHEW ROBERT MARTINDALE FINED $15,000 FOR IMPROPER USE OF PESTICIDE

CHATHAM-KENT – Matthew Robert Martindale has been fined $15,000, plus a victim fine surcharge, after pleading guilty to five counts of using and applying a pesticide improperly.

Mr. Martindale is the vice-president of Supermarine Aircraft Inc. The company provides aerial pesticide applications to agricultural crops.

On August 16, 2005, the Ministry of the Environment received a complaint regarding the aerial spraying practices of the company.

The court heard that Mr. Martindale and one of his employees were applying a pesticide called Matador 120 EC to soybean crops in contravention of the label. The label prohibits the aerial application of Matador on soybeans.

Mr. Martindale was charged following an investigation by the Ministry of the Environment’s Investigations and Enforcement Branch.

Mr. Martindale pleaded guilty to five counts of using a pesticide in an extermination except in accordance with the label for that pesticide, namely the aerial application of Matador 120 EC, contrary to s. 42(1) of the Pesticides Act. He was fined $15,000, plus a victim fine surcharge, and given 15 days to pay.

Justice of the Peace Elizabeth Neilson heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Chatham-Kent, Ontario, on August 28, 2007.

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For further information:
John Steele Communications Branch 416-314-6666
Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ontario.ca/environment

 

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