Man sentenced for selling substandard fertilizer

A chemical fertilizer dealer in central China's Henan Province was sentenced to two years in jail and fined 6000 yuan (983 US dollars) for selling substandard products, which caused the death of 269 peach trees.

Sanmenxia City Intermediate People's Court delivered the ruling on Monday.

A 53-year-old chemical fertilizer dealer surnamed Hou sold 26 packages of "Walter" compound fertilizer to an orchard farmer surnamed Li in early October 2011. Hou discovered that the fertilizer was of substandard quality on October 26, but neglected to inform Li of the inferior product.

All 269 peach trees in Li's orchard died as a result of the fertilizer, causing a direct economic loss of 82,000 yuan (13,448 US dollars).

An investigation revealed that the "Walter" compound fertilizer contained substandard nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium levels and a higher chloride content, which is fatal to peach trees.

Hou was sued by public prosecutors after the investigation. The court believes his activities constitute the crime of selling substandard products.