NLIS 4
February 19, 2002
(Government Services and Lands)

 

Noel says regulations regarding spillage from fish products to be strictly enforced

Government Services and Lands Minister Walter Noel has advised the fishing and trucking industries that, beginning April 1, 2002, his department will strictly enforce all regulations relating to spillage from fish products onto provincial roads and highways.

Minister Noel said: "Such spillage is an environmental and safety hazard. We have spent the past two years working with the fishing and trucking industries on this matter and have impressed upon them the seriousness of the situation. My department has received numerous, legitimate complaints from the public, ferry operators, tourists and weigh scales operators about this issue. Citizens cannot be expected to tolerate this unacceptable and potentially dangerous practice."

In past years, trucks which failed to contain the liquid waste were allowed to continue their trip after receiving a ticket. Commencing April 1, 2002, all vehicles transporting fish, fish products or fish waste will not be permitted to proceed unless they are in full compliance with legislation and regulation.

Motor carriers who allow leakage from fish or fish products, or of offal or other fish waste, will be issued summary offence tickets for violations of highway traffic legislation, such as a violation of section 163 of the Highway Traffic Act or section 3 of the Load Security Regulations.

Under authority of section 203 of the Highway Traffic Act, leaking vehicles will be parked at safe locations or returned to fish plants. Any portion of a load generating spillage must be transferred to a vehicle capable of carrying the product properly.

Each and every day, load leaks will be treated as a separate offence and subsequent tickets will be issued until the spillage problem is contained.

The minister said: "We recognize the importance of the fishing industry to the economy of our province. We thank all those in the fishing and trucking industries who have already taken steps to deal with this problem, and we encourage all others to take whatever actions are required to ensure compliance."

Media contact: Rick Callahan, Communications, (709) 729-4860.

2002 02 19                           3:55 p.m.


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