Obsolete Pesticides Being Collected Throughout the Province

Kevin Aylward, Minister of Environment, announced today at Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre - Brookfield Road a program to collect and dispose of obsolete pesticide products. The collection of obsolete pesticides will be held throughout Newfoundland and Labrador from October 26 to November 1. This one-time program is aimed at collecting outdated, unusable and/or "no longer registered" agricultural and horticultural crop protection products across the region.

Funded by the Department of Environment, CropLife Canada and Agri-Adapt Council Inc., the collection program is also supported by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Agriculture, Newfoundland and Labrador Horticulture Producers Council Inc. and the Department of Forest Resources and Agrifoods.

"Over the next week, we encourage all farmers, former farmers and individuals who have purchased or acquired farms or rural properties, to collect their unwanted and obsolete pesticides and bring them to the collection site on the date specified for their area," said Minister Aylward. "Domestic products will not be accepted during this collection program. The Household Hazardous Waste Program is available for those products."

CropLife Canada vice-president Cam Davreux stated that the Newfoundland and Labrador collection program follows the success of similar stewardship initiatives recently undertaken in British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Qu�bec. "Our objective is to operate this collection program right across Canada," said Mr. Davreux. "It�s an excellent program from rural, environmental and health standpoints; it shows that farmers, retailers and manufacturers are very responsible regarding the human health and the environment. By offering this safe, convenient way to dispose of obsolete crop protection products, we�re working together with agricultural retailers and producers to make a significant difference. It's good for agriculture, it's good for rural health and safety, and it's good for the environment."

Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods Rick Woodford stated, "We are very pleased to be supporting this initiative funded by the Department of Environment, Agri-Adapt Council Inc. and CropLife Canada. This is an extremely worthwhile program, being offered at no cost to the people of Newfoundland and Labrador."

"The Newfoundland and Labrador Horticulture Producers Council is delighted to be supporting the Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program," said John Lester, Council president. "As farmers, we are stewards of the land and are committed to protecting the environment through sustainable farming practises. Pesticides are necessary to produce the healthy [crops] required to sustain our growing population. Farmers want to ensure that any unusable compounds are removed and safely disposed of in a responsible manner. The Obsolete Pesticide Collection Program will assist in this process."

Collection dates and locations are at the following Department of Works, Services and Transportation depots from 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m.

Date Depot Location

October 26 London Street Happy Valley-Goose Bay

October 28 TCH Whitbourne

October 29 Lethbridge

October 30 6 Duggan Street Grand Falls-Windsor

October 31 Old Bonne Bay Road Deer Lake

November 1 Steel Mountain, TCH close to St. Georges

Media contact:

Cynthia Layden Barron, Department of Environment (709) 729-2575
Ann Marie Whelan, Newfoundland and Labrador Horticulture Producers Council Inc. (709) 747-1378

2002 10 25                                      10:35 a.m.