The United States does not. No country requires full disclosure of fertilizer ingredients. Martin paid her own way to a conference on children's health in Washington, D.C., last February, nervously standing to ask EPA Administrator Carol Browner if she knew about recycling hazardous wastes into fertilizer. Browner didn't answer the question. Now, the EPA has a high-level task force studying the subject.
Some farmers say they appreciate that.
The more vocal ones don't. Richardson demanded Martin say she trusted state regulators. He now says he favors more testing and labeling of fertilizer, but that Martin has given Quincy a bad name and caused public fear. Bill Weber, owner of a big local farm, threatened to sue Martin and the town for questioning toxic chemicals in fertilizer. We respectfully submit that the unfounded allegations regarding additives to the soil could result in an economic devastation similar to the 1930s.