CTD Blogger
Joined:
7/14/2009
Posts:
830
Last Post:
11/20/2009
|
Subject:
Texas Authorities Investigate Contaminated Corn in Eastland County, Advise Hunters Not to Consume Wild Game the Area
AUSTIN, Texas (TPWD) The Texas Department of Agriculture and Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department are investigating an incident involving the
misuse of the pesticide Temik in the southwestern area of Eastland
County in early October.
Corn seed was treated with Temik and placed in and around some
peanut fields near the intersection of U.S. 183 and County Road 173
south of Cisco. TDA is investigating why the corn was treated with
Temik and distributed in this location.
The contamination of the peanut fields has killed a number of feral
hogs, at least one deer and two birds. Authorities have since taken
steps to remove the contaminated corn, and no dead animals have been
found at the site since the investigation began.
Authorities are advising deer hunters to refrain from harvesting
deer or feral hogs or eating deer or hog meat taken from within a
5-mile radius around the intersection of U.S. 183 and County Road 173
south of Cisco. However, TPWD is encouraging hunters to continue to
enjoy hunting elsewhere in Eastland County and surrounding counties.
Since the chemical involved is rapidly eliminated from an animal’s
body after ingestion, toxicologists say the likelihood is low that
eating game from the affected area will harm people. Toxicologists say
literature about Temik indicates 90 percent of the pesticide is
naturally eliminated from a live animal’s body within 24 hours if it’s
not a lethal dose.
However, since the agencies involved cannot state for certain
whether game is safe to eat, they’re advising hunters not to harvest or
consume game from within the affected area. Authorities say hunters
should never eat carcasses of animals found on the ground or animals
that appear sick or diseased.
Affected animals are not likely to have traveled far after ingesting
contaminated corn. Toxicologists believe a deer or other animal which
ingests a lethal dose of the pesticide involved will die very soon
after ingestion, likely in the immediate vicinity. Authorities point
out that no additional dead animals have been found at the affected
site since the incident came to light.
Corn seed samples collected from the site have confirmed the
presence of high levels of Aldicarb — an active ingredient found in
Temik, a registered and approved pesticide. Aldicarb is highly toxic
and only a small amount is needed to kill an animal, but it could be
rapidly metabolized and eliminated from an animal’s body.
Temik can be harmful to wildlife and domestic animals that may come
into contact or feed on something that contains the pesticide.
Enforcement authorities are assessing possible violations of state
and/or federal law, including the possible use of a pesticide
inconsistent with the label. If an investigation finds an individual
did break the law they could face administrative penalties, civil
penalties and possibly criminal prosecution. The Texas Department of
Agriculture could fine the individual $5,000 per violation and there
could be multiple violations. The Attorney General would handle any
civil penalties and the county prosecutor would decide on criminal
prosecution.
|
