NLIS 4
February 22, 2002
(Government Services and Lands)

 

Noel says trucking industry given plenty of time to comply with fish spillage enforcement

Government Services and Lands Minister Walter Noel says he is surprised by comments made by Gerry Dowden of the Newfoundland Carriers Association regarding government�s new fish spillage directives which come into effect April 1, 2002. In a media interview yesterday, February 21, Mr. Dowden said his main concern was "the time frame the government has put on this, this being the end of February."

Minister Noel said: "The regulations are not new. We are simply advising they will be strictly enforced as of April 1. Last summer I informed the trucking and fishing industries that we would be strictly applying the regulations beginning June 25, 2001. Even though we had been endeavouring to deal with this problem for years, the trucking and fishing industries once again said they needed more time to comply. Reluctantly, we agreed to give them more time on condition they agreed to be prepared for enforcement this year. Representatives of the fishing and trucking industries then advised they would take action to address such issues as containment options, insurance implications, access to dumping facilities and proper outfitting of trucks.

"I also confirmed our intentions in news releases issued on June 15 and July 24 of last year."

Beginning April 1, 2002, Government Services and Lands will strictly enforce all regulations relating to spillage from fish products onto provincial roads and highways. Such spillage has been determined to be an environmental and safety hazard.

The department has received numerous complaints from the public, ferry operators, tourists and weigh scales operators about this issue. Minister Noel has said that 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, fish products, 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.

Minister Noel said: "This action is not being taken lightly. Government fully recognizes 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 22                         12:05 p.m.


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