Mike Easley has formed a task force to protect agricultural workers exposed to pesticides.

The task force comes after advocates for migrant workers said the state did a poor job handling complaints of dangerous pesticide exposure involving Ag-Mart, one of the nation's top suppliers of grape tomatoes, Dan Kane reports.

Two years ago, the state accused the Florida-based company of 369 violations of the state's pesticide law, but two judges recommended most of the charges be dropped because the state did not prove much of its case.

State Health Director Leah Devlin will lead the task force, which also includes N.C. Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. The task force will hold its first meeting next month and is expected to make recommendations to Easley in May.

More after the jump.

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A judge has recommended the state Agriculture Department drop nearly al charges against Ag-Mart.

In a ruling issued last week, administrative law Judge Joe Webster said the Florida company could be held responsible for only 17 out of 369 pesticide violations.

The final decision rests with the state Pesticide Board, however.

The board decided last summer that the case was too complicated for its members and asked the Office of Administrative Hearings for a recommendation.

It will not decide whether to follow the judge's thinking until at least December. (N&O)