Two men have been convicted of using banned pesticides to kill migratory birds, according to court documents. Robert Yost, 52, of New Galilee and 27-year-old Jacob Reese were both sentenced to one year of probation and community service, and will have to pay a fine. According to the documents, Yost, of Yost Farms in Beaver County, conspired with Reese to kill migratory birds on farmland he leased. The pesticide used was carbofuran, a registered restricted use pesticide. The documents say Yost told Reese to spread pesticide-coated whole kernel corn in and around the field used to grow soybeans. It was an area where officials say children were regularly present. The corn attracted migratory birds, which would die within a short distance of where they got the corn. In an effort to hide the evidence, authorities say Yost and Reese would destroy the bag of food containing the laced corn kernels. When confronted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission, Reese and Yost allegedly lied. The pair are believed to be responsible for the deaths of 17 Canada geese, 10 red-winged blackbirds and one mallard duck. The pair were convicted of conspiracy, violating the federal Insecticide, Pesticide and Rodenticide Act and violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Yost was fined $21,000 and given 100 hours of community service. Reese was fined $5,500 and given 50 hours of community service.
Two men have been convicted of using banned pesticides to kill migratory birds, according to court documents.
Robert Yost, 52, of New Galilee and Jacob Reese, 27, were both sentenced to one year of probation and community service and must pay a fine.
According to the documents, Yost, of Yost Farms in Beaver County, conspired with Reese to kill migratory birds on farmland he leased.
The pesticide used was carbofuran, a registered restricted use pesticide.
The documents say Yost told Reese to spread pesticide-coated whole kernel corn in and around the field used to grow soybeans. It was an area where officials say children were regularly present.
The corn attracted migratory birds, which died within a short distance of where they got the corn.
In an attempt to hide the evidence, authorities say Yost and Reese would destroy the bag of food containing the laced corn kernels.
When confronted by the Pennsylvania Gaming Commission, Reese and Yost allegedly lied.
The pair are believed to be responsible for the deaths of 17 Canada geese, 10 red-winged blackbirds and one mallard duck.
The pair were convicted of conspiracy, violating the federal Insecticide, Pesticide, and Rodenticide Act and violating the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
Yost was fined $21,000 and given 100 hours of community service. Reese was fined $5,500 and given 50 hours of community service.
#Farmer #Western #employee #toxic #pesticide #kill #migratory #birds
Image Source : www.wtae.com