Onion Farmers Who Say Fertilizer Contaminated Get Break On Bill

Sun., Sept. 21, 1997

From Staff And Wire Reports

Farmers who claim they lost their entire onion crop last year due to fertilizer contamination must make $82,000 in overdue payments to Quincy Farm Chemicals.

But Grant County Superior Judge Evan Sperline said Duke and Jaycie Giraud don’t have to pay approximately $5,400 of the bill for a purchase of Solution 32 because they contend toxic wastes were added to that fertilizer.

“This case is the first in a skirmish over an industry practice being pursued in the Pacific Northwest,” said Carl Hagens, a Seattle attorney representing the Girauds.

“We have reason to believe the fertilizer company added what amounts to toxic waste to their chemicals, and it had a devastating effect far in excess of the purchase price,” he said.

The lawsuit was filed in April by Quincy Farm Chemicals, seeking $86,737 in bills from 1995 and 1996.

The Girauds, who now live in Everett, did business in Quincy as Giraud Produce and Quincy Produce.

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