According to a recent piece in The Guardian, Scotts Miracle-Gro has recently pleaded guilty to selling poisoned birdseed to the public. They also admitted to putting undocumented pesticides in their lawn and garden products.

This violation of US federal environmental laws has apparently been taking place for the at least the past two years. The guilty please were entered in U.S. District Court on Tuesday, March 13, 2012 and thus far no penalties have been determined.

The pesticides added to the birdseed were meant to prevent insects from getting to the product when in storage, but neither of the two pesticides used were acceptable for use in bird feed according to EPA standards.

What’s worse, one of the pesticides used — Storcide II — is labeled toxic to fish, birds and wildlife. In other words, Scotts Miracle-Gro knew that the birdfeed would be toxic to birds.

As part of the plea deal, the company would pay a $4 million fine and put up another $500,000 to support wildlife study and preservation.

What do you think? Are the fines punishment enough or should harsher measures be taken?

Credit: Guardian Blog