State Senator Catharine Young (R,I,C - Olean) today announced a bill to protect consumers from the dumping of substandard agricultural products in New York State has been signed into law by Governor Spitzer.

The legislation prevents out-of-state food distributors from dumping of any cull or waste pile containing substandard product from outside the state that could contaminate food and require such cull or waste pile to be disposed of in an appropriate manner.

"My legislation will enhance protections for agricultural landowners against invasive plant and insect diseases that infect onion, potato and other crops important to our agricultural economy," said Senator Young. "Many culls are purchased by packers from states fighting diseases which have not yet been found in New York State products. This proactive measure will ensure that the disposal of culls and waste piles occurs in a responsible manner in order to better protect our local food supply."

Individuals dumping such products would be responsible for cleanup costs associated with the contaminated site and any for recall costs if necessary. The bill would also provide for a $500 civil penalty for dumping on the first offense and $1,000 for the second and each subsequent offense.