St. Joseph Pesticide Company Placed in Receivership

(Missourient) A St. Joseph pesticide distributor has been placed under receivership after failing to comply with a 2011 settlement to resolve violations of state and federal environmental laws.

The EPA reports federal district judge Greg Kays has ordered a receiver to take control of facilities owned by HPI Products, St. Joe Properties, and William Garvey.

Federal and state regulators filed a motion in the Western District of Missouri. The judge granted the motion and temporarily froze the assets of the defendants. The receiver will determine whether the defendants have enough resources to comply with the 2011 settlement.

The government accuses HPI and St. Joe Properties of storing thousands of containers of hazardous and non-hazardous wastes at its six pesticide manufacturing, storage, and distribution facilities in St. Joseph. Federal and state inspectors found rusted and leaking containers. Some buildings had partially collapsed or are on the verge of collapsing.