Oct. 6, 2009 — Ontario farmers can safely dispose of their obsolete pesticides, livestock medicines and used sharp instruments (needles, syringes and scalpel blades) under CleanFARMS™.

This program will run Oct. 20-22 as part of an Ontario government-supported Great Lakes Basin water quality initiative that offers farmers a free, safe way to recycle and dispose of these items. There is no charge to farmers for the program.

Collection locations include:

• Ailsa Craig: Hensall District Co-operative.
• Arnprior: M&R Feeds and Farm Supply Ltd.
• Bethany: Thompsons Ltd.
• Brodhagen: Hoegy’s Farm Supply Ltd.
• Courtland: Cargill AgHorizons.
• Dundalk: Huron Bay Co-operative.
• Harriston: North Wellington Co-operative Inc.
• Kitchener: GROWMARK Inc. – Distribution Centre.

• Lancaster: Munro’s Agromart Ltd.
• Napanee: O’Neill’s Farm Supply.
• Jordan Station: Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd.
• Thornloe: Co-op Regionale – Temiskaming Ag Centre.
• Orangeville: Holmes Agro Ltd.
• Thunder Bay: Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supply.
• Tilbury: Cargill AgHorizons.
• Vienna: Max Underhill’s Farm Supply Ltd.

“This is a unique opportunity for farmers to safely dispose of these products free of charge,” says Lilian Schaer, projects manager with AGCare, which is co-ordinating the program. “Every effort helps when it comes to safeguarding our water quality.”

Agricultural pesticide products being returned should have a PCP number on the container. Acceptable animal health products should have a label with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or contains the terms “vaccine, bacterin, toxoid, antitoxin, antibody or diagnostic.” Collection sites will not accept pesticides and animal health products in aerosol containers, medicated feed, premise disinfectants, or any household or human use items. Loose sharps will not be accepted – they must be brought in a closed rigid container. Ziploc bags are not acceptable.

For more information, visit the AGCare or Ontario Farm Animal Council websites, or call the Ontario Farm Animal Council/AGCare at 519-837-1326. Farmers can also contact the Agricultural Information Contact Centre of the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs toll-free at 877-424-1300 or (local) 519-826-4047, or via e-mail at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .