March 31, 2009, Ottawa — Over 51,158 kilograms of unwanted and obsolete
agricultural pesticides – enough to fill approximately four
semi-trailers – have been safely and environmentally disposed of,
thanks to Manitoba farmers who turned in the products last fall.
March 31, 2009, Ottawa — Over 51,158 kilograms of unwanted and obsolete agricultural pesticides – enough to fill approximately four semi-trailers – have been safely and environmentally disposed of, thanks to Manitoba farmers who turned in the products last fall.
“Canada’s plant science industry is committed to safe, environmentally responsible practices. From lab to label, through storage and disposal, our programs represent the industry’s pledge to responsibly manage its products,” said Lorne Hepworth, president of the industry’s trade association, CropLife Canada. “This program provides a safe, effective and cost-free way for farmers to properly dispose of obsolete products. We are grateful for their participation and for the support of our partners.”
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Agriculture Sustainability Initiative Fund and Manitoba Conservation’s Sustainable Development Innovations Fund partnered with CropLife Canada to finance the Manitoba collection, with the province providing half of the total cost of just over $157,000. The collection was part of CropLife Canada’s Stewardshipfirst(TM) program that promotes safe and responsible use of crop protection products.
“As responsible stewards of the land, farmers are careful not to contaminate their land or water by carelessly dumping chemical waste, so their only option is to store it,” said Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives Minister Rosann Wowchuk. “This disposal program helps provide a solution to that problem.”
“Pesticide and chemical use are a reality on many farms so it is important that we support a safe and efficient means to dispose of leftover and outdated supplies,” said Manitoba Conservation Minister Stan Struthers. “This initiative provided producers with a handy and efficient means to eliminate these products that is both safe and environmentally friendly to the farm site and rural communities.”
In addition, 20 ag-retailers, each with warehouse facilities certified by the Agrichemical Warehousing Standards Association, volunteered to participate as drop-off locations for the program which ran October 21 – 23, 2008. All of the obsolete pesticide was then taken to a federally licensed disposal facility in Swan Hills, Alberta where it is disposed of through high temperature incineration.
CropLife Canada’s obsolete collection program rotates across Canadian provinces and has collected more than 1.5 million kilograms of obsolete pesticides since 1998. The program was last held in Manitoba in 2003 and 2004, during which time over 92,000 kilograms was collected.
CropLife Canada is a non-profit trade association representing the manufacturers, developers and distributors of plant science innovations – pest control products and plant biotechnology – for use in agriculture, urban and public health settings.
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