Hartz to Relabel and Cancel Flea and Tick Drops for Cats and Kittens
 

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Hartz to Relabel and Cancel Flea and Tick Drops for Cats and Kittens

Contact: Eryn Witcher, 202-436-2215/

(Washington, D.C.-- June 3, 2005) At EPA's insistence, Hartz Mountain
Corp. has agreed to cancel uses of several flea and tick products that
may be associated with a range of adverse reactions, including hair
loss, salivation, tremors and numerous deaths in cats and kittens. The
common pet product brand names which are involved in this action
include: Hartz Advanced Care 4 in 1 Flea & Tick Drops Plus+ for Cats and
Kittens; Hartz Advanced Care Brand Flea and Tick Drops Plus+ for Cats
and Kittens; Hartz Advanced Care 3 in 1 Flea & Tick Drops for Cats and
Kittens; and Hartz Advanced Care Once-A-Month Flea and Tick Drops for
Cats and Kittens.

In the short term, the agreement calls for immediate relabeling of the
products. The new labeling will state that the products of concern are
not to be used on the most vulnerable animals, including cats and
kittens that weigh less than 6 pounds, cats older than 13 years, or
kittens less than 5 months old.

Hartz will stop all new production of the cat and kitten products by
September 30, 2005, and not sell or distribute any affected product
after December 31, 2005. The measures announced today will help ensure
pets are protected. Pet owners should pay close attention to new labels
and exercise good judgment when choosing pet products.

"EPA is taking this action because there are safety concerns with these
products,'' said Susan B. Hazen, principal deputy assistant
administrator at EPA. "Pet owners should be alerted to these concerns,
and may choose to transition to alternative products. We take seriously
our obligation to ensure that pesticide products, when used as labeled,
are safe."

The company agreed to a prohibition on any remaining retail sales by
March 31, 2006. This orderly transition allows consumers and
distributors to move to alternatives flea and tick products and will be
strictly monitored. Hartz will also be notifying their distributors and
retailers of the changes in order to ensure a workable phaseout.

As with any pesticide product, all label directions and precautions
should be carefully followed to ensure the product is used correctly. It
is prudent to follow the new restrictions for all products, including
existing stocks.

After a public 30-day comment period, EPA intends to issue a
cancellation order and an amended registration, which will be effective
by October 31, 2005. For further information, please visit:
http://www.epa.gov/pesticides/factsh...tick-drops.htm

R098

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Margaret Fine