Yuba City Crop Duster Suspended After Multiple Pesticide Law Violations
YUBA CITY (CBS13) — A Yuba City crop duster is under fire from the state for repeatedly violating pesticide law.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation says there were so many violations against Mark Minkema that it suspended the pest control pilot's license.
Sutter County Agricultural Commissioner Mark Quisenberry says they had no choice but to report him.
"We've tried many times to try to get him to compliance," he said. "He's had penalties put against him, he's had other compliance action and he just failed to do that."
Quisenberry says they notified the California Department of Pesticide Regulation and it suspended him 10 violations in the last 9 years. Most occurred in Sutter County.
The violations stem from scenes like one caught on video where a field was sprayed with pesticide while workers were still present, failing to use a proper protective equipment, and using a pesticide on the wrong crop.
Minkema did not want to talk to CBS13, but he's been placed on probation for 18 months and he will not be allowed to fly his aircraft to apply pesticides during next year's peak season.
State officials say they haven't had to take such drastic action in more than a decade.