EPA plans to phase out use of common pesticide on fruit, other crops 6/12/2006, 9:51 p.m. ET By GENE JOHNSON The Associated Press SEATTLE (AP) — The federal government plans to phase out a common pesticide that has been used on apples, pears and other crops since the late 1950s, acting amid complaints from environmental groups that the chemical poisons farmworkers. The Environmental Protection Agency announced Friday that it would end the use of azinphos-methyl beginning next year on nuts, nursery stocks and Brussels sprouts. The pesticide, also called AZM, would be banned on apples, blueberries, cherries, pears and parsley...