San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson announced today that Tractor Supply West, LLC (“Tractor Supply“) has entered into a Stipulated Judgment and will pay $5,126,282.97 to settle a civil law enforcement complaint alleging that the company violated California’s Price Accuracy laws, Pesticide Regulations and Greenwashing laws.
The Consumer and Environmental Protection Units of the District Attorneys of San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Cruz, Sacramento, and Sonoma counties investigated and prosecuted this matter.
The complaint filed in Sonoma County on their behalf alleged that Tractor Supply:
- Unlawfully charged customers prices higher than their lowest advertised or posted price.
- Sold pesticides without current valid licenses issued by the Department of Pesticide Regulation, failed to document the sales of pesticides as required , and sold restricted pesticides without the appropriate licensing.
- Sold products labeled as “biodegradable” in violation of California’s Greenwashing laws.
Each of these violations also constitute violations of California’s Unfair Competition law.
District Attorney Anderson noted, “Our Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit is essential to safeguarding San Bernardino County. Their work ensures businesses follow the law, protects consumers and the environment, and preserves trust in a fair and transparent marketplace.”
Under the terms of the judgment Tractor Supply must implement new policies and procedures to ensure compliance with each of these laws. Tractor Supply cooperated with the investigation and voluntarily ceased sales of pesticides until the proper licensing was in place after being contacted by the District Attorneys.
This case was prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Paul Levers of the Consumer and Environmental Protection Unit of the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office.
The San Bernardino County Department of Agriculture, Weights and Measures, is the agency that inspected Tractor Supply throughout San Bernardino County and is instrumental in monitoring retailers to make sure that consumers are being charged for accurate prices and weight packaging. Consumers may report overcharges to the San Bernardino County Department of Weights and Measures by calling (909) 387-2105 or via e-mail to awm@awm.sbcounty.gov.