"COLUMBUS -- Ohio lawn and garden care company Scotts Miracle-Gro has pleaded guilty to breaching federal pesticide laws by using an unapproved insecticide on bird seed sold nationwide for two years."
"In Columbus, U.S. District Court Judge James Graham accepted the company's guilty plea on Tuesday.
Scotts is proposing to pay a $4 million fine and give $500,000 to help support wildlife conservation and study. Judge Graham said he will issue his decision on the plea agreement at sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled.
The government alleges that beginning in 2005, Scotts produced a line of wild bird food products under names including 'Morning Song' and 'Country Pride' that contained insecticides.
The government says the insecticides, which are toxic to birds and other wildlife, were not approved for use on bird food."
Environment News Service had the story March 14, 2012.
