Peace Region farmers safely dispose of more than 19,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides and livestock medications
GRANDE PRAIRIE, AB
Farmers in the Peace Region returned 19,871 kilograms of obsolete and unwanted pesticides and 450 kilograms of livestock and equine medications through CleanFARMS’ obsolete collection campaign this year.
CleanFARMS, which operates the program, is a national, industry-led agricultural waste stewardship organization. Collections took place at six participating ag-retail locations throughout the region from September 21-23, 2016.
This marked the first time that a combined collection of pesticides and livestock medications has been offered in the Peace Region. CleanFARMS partnered with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) to add the collection of livestock and equine medications to CleanFARMS’ existing obsolete pesticide collection program.
“The members of the Canadian Animal Health Institute were pleased to participate in this important program. It demonstrates our industry’s commitment to safely managing animal medications throughout their lifecycle,” said Jean Szkotnicki, president of CAHI. “We were pleased to partner with CleanFARMS by providing the Peace Region’s livestock and equine community with this service.”
Peace Region farmers have a long history of good stewardship practices and have been participating in the obsolete collections program since 1999 – which is a testament to their environmental commitment. When the program last came to the Peace Region it was delivered over two years in 2012/2013 and more than 16,000 kilograms of product was collected from farmers for safe disposal.
“This year’s collection was a great success thanks to the commitment of Peace Region farmers and participating ag-retail collection sites,” said Barry Friesen, CleanFARMS general manager. “CleanFARMS is proud to offer collection programs that ensure unwanted and obsolete pesticides, as well as livestock and equine medications, can be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way.”
The obsolete collection program is generally delivered in each province or region of the country every three years and comes at no cost to farmers. The free disposal program will be delivered again in the region in 2019. In between collections, farmers are encouraged to safely store their unwanted pesticides and livestock medications until they can properly dispose of them through the program.
The obsolete collection program is part of the plant science and animal health industry’s commitment to the responsible lifecycle management of their products.
For more information:
Contact Maja Begovic, Communications Officer, (416) 622-4460 x2222, media@cleanfarms.ca
Visit cleanfarms.ca
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