XML 51 R18.htm IDEA: XBRL DOCUMENT v2.4.0.8
Commitments and Contingencies
9 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]  
Commitments and Contingencies
  • 10.   Commitments and Contingencies
Environmental
Our operations and properties are subject to extensive federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations, including those governing pollution; protection of the environment; the use, management, and release of hazardous materials, substances and wastes; air emissions; greenhouse gas emissions; water use, supply and discharges; the investigation and remediation of contamination; the manufacture, distribution, and sale of regulated materials, including pesticides; the importing, exporting and transportation of products; and the health and safety of our employees (collectively, “Environmental Laws”). As such, the nature of our current and former operations exposes us to the risk of claims with respect to such matters, including fines, penalties, and remediation obligations that may be imposed by regulatory authorities. Under certain circumstances, we might be required to curtail operations until a particular problem is remedied. Known costs and expenses under Environmental Laws incidental to ongoing operations, including the cost of litigation proceedings relating to environmental matters, are generally included within operating results. Potential costs and expenses may also be incurred in connection with the repair or upgrade of facilities to meet existing or new requirements under Environmental Laws or to investigate or remediate potential or actual contamination and from time to time we establish reserves for such contemplated investigation and remediation costs. In many instances, the ultimate costs under Environmental Laws and the time period during which such costs are likely to be incurred are difficult to predict.
While we believe that our operations are currently in material compliance with Environmental Laws, we have, from time to time, received notices of violation from governmental authorities, and have been involved in civil or criminal action for such violations. Additionally, at various sites, our subsidiaries are engaged in continuing investigation, remediation and/or monitoring efforts to address contamination associated with historic operations of the sites. We devote considerable resources to complying with Environmental Laws and managing environmental liabilities. We have developed programs to identify requirements under, and maintain compliance with Environmental Laws; however, we cannot predict with certainty the impact of increased and more stringent regulation on our operations, future capital expenditure requirements, or the cost of compliance.
The nature of our current and former operations exposes us to the risk of claims with respect to environmental matters and we cannot assure we will not incur material costs and liabilities in connection with such claims. Based upon our experience to date, we believe that the future cost of compliance with existing Environmental Laws, and liabilities for known environmental claims pursuant to such Environmental Laws, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or liquidity.
C.P. Chemicals, Inc. (“CP”), a subsidiary of PAHC, PAHC and other defendants have reached a phased settlement with Chevron U.S.A. Inc. (“Chevron”), and a Settlement Agreement and Consent Order (the “Consent Order”) has been filed and entered by the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (the “Court”), resolving a 1997 complaint filed by Chevron. The complaint alleged that the operations of CP at its Sewaren, New Jersey plant affected adjoining property owned by Chevron and that PAHC, the parent of CP, was also responsible to Chevron. Pursuant to the Consent Order, CP, PAHC and co-defendant Legacy Vulcan Corp. (“Vulcan”), through an entity known as North Field Extension, LLC (“NFE”), have acquired a portion of the Chevron property, and NFE will proceed with any required investigation and remediation of the acquired property and has also assumed responsibility for certain types of environmental conditions (if they exist) on the portion of the property retained by Chevron. CP/PAHC and Vulcan will each be responsible for 50% of the investigation and remediation costs, which are to be paid by CP/PAHC directly or through NFE. Another defendant has also made a contribution toward the remediation costs to be incurred by NFE in the amount of $175. Chevron retained responsibility for further investigation and remediation of certain identified environmental conditions on the portion of the property retained by it, as well as in one area of the property acquired by NFE. We believe that insurance recoveries will be available to offset some of those costs.
The EPA is investigating and planning for the remediation of offsite contaminated groundwater that has migrated from the Omega Chemical Corporation Superfund Site (“Omega Chemical Site”), which is upgradient of the Santa Fe Springs, California facility operated by our subsidiary Phibro-Tech, Inc. The EPA has named Phibro-Tech and certain other subsidiaries of PAHC as potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”) due to groundwater contamination from Phibro-Tech’s Santa Fe Springs facility that has allegedly commingled with contaminated groundwater from the Omega Chemical Site. In September 2012, the EPA notified approximately 140 PRPs, including Phibro-Tech and the other subsidiaries, that they have been identified as potentially responsible for remedial action for the groundwater plume affected by the Omega Chemical Site and for EPA oversight and response costs. Phibro-Tech contends that groundwater contamination at its site is due to historical operations that pre-date Phibro-Tech and/or contaminated groundwater that has migrated from upgradient properties. In addition, a successor to a prior owner of the Phibro-Tech site has asserted that PAHC and Phibro-Tech are obligated to provide indemnification for its potential liability and defense costs relating to the groundwater plume affected by the Omega Chemical Site. Phibro-Tech has vigorously contested this position and has asserted that the successor to the prior owner is required to indemnify Phibro-Tech for its potential liability and defense costs. Furthermore, a nearby property owner has filed a complaint in the Superior Court of the State of California against many of the PRPs associated with the groundwater plume affected by the Omega Chemical Site for alleged contamination of groundwater underneath its property. Due to the ongoing nature of the EPA’s investigation and Phibro-Tech’s dispute with the prior owner’s successor, at this time we cannot predict with any degree of certainty what, if any, liability Phibro-Tech or the other subsidiaries may ultimately have for investigation, remediation and the EPA oversight and response costs associated with the affected groundwater plume.
Based upon information available, to the extent such costs can be estimated with reasonable certainty, we estimated the cost for complying with the NFE Consent Order and for further investigation and remediation of identified soil and groundwater problems at operating sites, closed sites and third-party sites, and closure costs for closed sites, to be approximately $7,265 and $8,292 at March 31, 2014 and June 30, 2013, respectively, which is included in current and long-term liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets. However, future events, such as new information, changes in existing Environmental Laws or their interpretation, and more vigorous enforcement policies of regulatory agencies, may give rise to additional expenditures or liabilities that could be material. For all purposes of the discussion under this caption and elsewhere in this report, it should be noted that we take and have taken the position that neither PAHC nor any of our subsidiaries is liable for environmental or other claims made against one or more of our other subsidiaries or for which any of such other subsidiaries may ultimately be responsible.
Claims and Litigation
Certain customers have claimed damages to their poultry resulting from the use of one of our animal health products. We believe we are entitled to coverage for the claimed damages under our insurance policies, above any applicable self-insured retention or deductible. Our insurance carrier thus far has refused to cover the damages claimed and has denied coverage. We have taken actions to enforce our rights under the policies and believe we are likely to prevail. We have accrued a $5,600 liability for the claims presented by our customers and have recorded a $5,350 asset for recovery under these insurance policies. Our judgment that we will be successful in obtaining coverage under our insurance policies for the customers’ claims is based on the policy language and relevant case law precedents.
PAHC and its subsidiaries are party to a number of claims and lawsuits arising out of the normal course of business including product liabilities, payment disputes and governmental regulation. Certain of these actions seek damages in various amounts. In many cases, such claims are covered by insurance. We believe that none of the claims or pending lawsuits, either individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows or liquidity.