Newfoundland farmers are invited to safely dispose of their obsolete pesticides and livestock medications

ST. JOHN'S, Oct. 18, 2016 /CNW/ - Newfoundland farmers are invited to safely and responsibly dispose of their unwanted or obsolete pesticides and livestock (including equine) medications from October 18-20.

CleanFARMS, an industry-led, national not-for-profit agricultural waste management organization, in partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) and the province of Newfoundland and Labrador, is offering this program at no cost to farmers.

"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," says Jean Szkotnicki, President of CAHI.  "We were pleased to partner with CleanFARMS by providing Newfoundland and Labrador's livestock and equine community with this service for the first time."

Farmers in Newfoundland have a long history of good stewardship practices. Since 1998, Newfoundland farmers have turned in more than 4,300 kilograms of obsolete pesticides. This year is the first time in Newfoundland livestock and equine medications have been added to the program.

"Newfoundland has a history of successful collections," said Barry Friesen, General Manager of CleanFARMS. "The participation of Newfoundland farmers shows they are good stewards of their land and committed to protecting the environment."

After collection, the pesticides and medications are taken to a licensed waste management facility where they are disposed of through high temperature incineration.

The following locations will be accepting obsolete pesticides and livestock/equine medications from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. on the dates specified:

Tuesday, October 18, 2016: Foxtrap

• Department of Transportation and Works Depot, 0.5 km N of Trans-Canada/Foxtrap Access Road on Incinerator Road

Wednesday, October 19, 2016: Lewisporte

• Department of Transportation and Works Depot, 6 km N of Trans-Canada/Route 340 intersection on Route 340

Thursday, October 20, 2016: Deer Lake

• Department of Transportation and Works Depot, 74 Old Bonne Bay Road

The obsolete pesticide and livestock/equine medication collection program is a national program that comes to each province every three years. In between collections periods, farmers are asked to safely store their unwanted pesticides and livestock medications until they can properly dispose of them through the program.

SOURCE CleanFARMS Inc.

For media inquiries please contact: Maja Begovic, Media Relations, [email protected], 416-622-4460 x 2222