NLIS 2
April 1, 2002
(Government Services and Lands)

 

Government and industry agree to end spillage from fish transport trucks

Following meetings with fishing and trucking industry representatives, government has extended the deadline for strict enforcement of regulations relating to spillage from fish transport trucks onto provincial roads and highways. Existing enforcement procedures will continue until July 1, 2002. Following that date, all trucks will be required to do everything practical to eliminate spillage entirely. Regulations will be strictly enforced. Trucks which are not properly equipped will not be permitted to spill any liquids on the highways.

Also beginning July 1, fish processors, as a condition of their licence, will be required to transport fish and fish products in trucks which have containers or drip tanks capable of containing all liquids and preventing leakage. Regulations are now being amended to clearly define the nature of compliant trucks.

The announcement was made today by Government Services and Lands Minister Walter Noel and Fisheries and Aquaculture Minister Gerry Reid at a news conference attended by representatives of the fishing and trucking industries.

Minister Noel said: "Minister Reid and I have had meetings with industry representatives on this matter. These meetings gave us the opportunity to stress the importance of our regulations, and enabled industry representatives to outline their problems. A mutually acceptable timetable for implementing solutions has been agreed to by all parties."

"The presence of industry representatives at this news conference demonstrates their commitment to solving this problem. We all agree that this is a serious issue which must be dealt with in an appropriate and timely manner."

Processors and truckers have confirmed that the extension of the zero tolerance deadline will provide sufficient time to make trucks compliant. Alastair O�Reilly, president of the Fisheries Association of Newfoundland and Labrador, said: "The fish processing sector acknowledges that a spillage from trucks transporting seafood can at times constitute a nuisance factor, particularly in the case of shrimp transportation. The measures agreed to between government, the trucking industry and the fish processing sector should resolve the concerns of the general public. The 90-day extension provided should allow adequate time for the trucking industry to become fully compliant with these rules."

Gerry Dowden, president of the Carriers Association, said: "I am pleased with the extension. We will work together with truckers and the shippers to ensure everyone involved is compliant. It is encouraging to see that the shippers in this case are somewhat responsible for the outcome."

Minister Noel said: "By working together, I am confident we will fully address this issue. We must do this as we are receiving increasing numbers of complaints from the general public, ferry operators, tourists, businesspeople and our own weigh scale operators."

The minister said that in the interim tickets will still be issued for infractions, and excessive spillage problems dealt with according to practice. In extreme circumstances, officials will continue to remove vehicles from the road prior to July 1.

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

2002 04 01              12:05 p.m.


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