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N.D. (AP) – The Environmental Protection Agency’s independent investigative arm says its recent audit of pesticide inspections in North Dakota focused only on a lack of federal oversight and not on the quality of work done by state inspectors.

The report by the Office of Inspector General said North Dakota facilities that produce or handle pesticides have not been federally inspected for 14 years, possibly endangering the public.

Both the state Agriculture Department and the EPA’s regional office have blasted the audit for overlooking North Dakota’s competent efforts to ensure pesticides are handled safely. The OIG says judging the quality of North Dakota inspections was not the intent of the audit.

Regional EPA officials also say they’ll work to meet OIG recommendations, including ensuring at least some North Dakota inspectors are federally certified.