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

SASKATOON, Oct. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Farmers in southern Saskatchewan are being invited to safely and responsibly dispose of their unwanted or obsolete pesticides and livestock (including equine) medications from October 27-31.

CleanFARMS, an industry-led, national not-for-profit agricultural waste management organization, in partnership with the Canadian Animal Health Institute (CAHI) is offering this program, which comes at no charge to farmers, this fall. 

"The Canadian Animal Health Institute's participation in this program is just one part of our industry's commitment to safely managing animal medications throughout their lifecycle," said Jean Szkotnicki, President of CAHI.  "Our members are happy to be able to provide Saskatchewan's livestock and equine community with this service."

Saskatchewan's farmers have a long history of good stewardship practices. Since 1998, farmers in Saskatchewan have returned more than 380,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides. The last time the program was delivered in 2012 more than 60,000 kilograms of product was collected and safely destroyed, which is a testament to Saskatchewan farmers' commitment to being responsible stewards of the land. This year is the first time in Saskatchewan that livestock and equine medications have been added to the program.

"We are pleased that the previous collections in Saskatchewan have been huge successes," says Barry Friesen, general manager of CleanFARMS. "The participation of Saskatchewan farmers just goes to show how committed they are 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 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on the dates specified:

Monday, October 27, 2014

• Cargill in Congress, 306-642-4956
• Richardson Pioneer in Davidson, 306-567-4778
• Blair's Family of Companies in McLean, 306-699-2822
• Wynard Coop Agro in Wynard, 306-554-3644

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

• Richardson Pioneer in Lampman, 306-487-3121
• Richardson Pioneer in Canora, 306-563-5177
• Hillcrest Enterprises Ltd. In Coronach, 306-267-6110
• Richardson Pioneer in Kindersley, 306-463-3399

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

• Top Notch Farm Supply Inc. in Fillmore, 306-722-3200
• Richardson Pioneer in Maple Creek, 306-662-2420
• Sharpe's Soil Services Ltd. In Moosomin, 306-435-3319
• Crop Production Services in Shaunavon, 306-297-4121

Thursday, October 30, 2014

• Ren Gro Fertilizer Ltd. In Milestone, 306-436-4330
• Crop Production Services in Oxbow, 306-483-2908
• Blair's Family of Companies in Strongfield, 306-857-2225
• Richardson Pioneer in Swift Current, 306-778-1616

Friday, October 31, 2014

• Innova Ag Solutions Inc. in Central Butte, 306-796-2102
• Future Four Agro Inc. in Macoun, 306-634-9320
• Prairie Plains Ago Ltd. In Moose Jaw, 306-692-1661
• Crop Protection Services in Regina, 306-757-3501

The obsolete pesticide and livestock/equine medication collection program is a national program that comes to each province on a three-year rotating basis. 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.

Backgrounder

The obsolete pesticide collection program was launched by industry in 1998 as part of its commitment to the responsible lifecycle management of its products. In 2010, CleanFARMS was formed to manage several industry-funded agricultural waste management programs, including the obsolete pesticide collection program.  The collection of obsolete medications for livestock and horses has been added to the obsolete collections campaign for the first time this year (2014).

What are pesticides and livestock medications?

Pesticides are registered substances regulated by Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) that are used to control pest pressures, including fungi, insects and weeds, that can cause damage to crops.  

Similar to pesticides, animal health products are regulated by Health Canada or the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.  These products are used by veterinarians and animal owners to prevent, manage or treat pests and disease.

What kinds of products are collected?

All liquid and dry/granular commercially labelled pesticides. They come in various sizes and types of containers from as small as 250 ml up to 500 L totes. They may also include products in multi-walled paper and plastic bags. The products are mainly for farm use but may also include obsolete pesticides from golf courses, commercial landscape, vegetative management and structural pest control operations.

Animal health products are quite similar in the relatively wide range of products that may be included in the collection that are labelled as a livestock or equine medication. The products may come in various container sizes and types from as small as 100 ml to 20 L pails or in plastic, glass, paper/plastic bags, tubes or blister packs.

Why do obsolete products exist?

Obsolete products can result due to a number of different reasons.  These may include:

• Farmers or applicators may have saved product one year and decided to use a new product the next year;
• A farmer may have leftover pesticides from previous years that has become de-registered and no longer legal for use;
• Farm ownership can change leaving the new owner with leftover product on site;
• Farmers may start growing different crops that require different pest control products than what they currently have; and
• Pest pressures can change from when farmers first purchase products leaving them with unusable products leftover.
• Animal health products may have exceeded their expiry date, been accidently frozen (or exposed to excessive heat) causing the product to be ineffective.  Similarly an animal's treatment course may have been altered / ended prematurely resulting in leftover product.

How are obsolete products handled and destroyed after they have been returned?

Obsolete pesticides and livestock medications returned during the collection process are safely packed in leak-proof containers and transported by a licensed and insured hazardous waste hauler. When properly packaged and handled by trained professionals, these products do not pose a health and safety risk.

All products are safely disposed using specialized high-temperature incineration, which is the most environmentally responsible disposal option. The incineration facility that CleanFARMS normally uses is approved by Environment Canada and is located in northern Alberta. It is a world-class facility developed and built specifically for the management of hazardous waste.

What safety measures are in place to manage potential spills?

CleanFARMS and its licensed waste contractors have very detailed emergency response plans in place to manage any accidents or spills that may occur. Since the program began in 1998, there have not been any spills or accidents.

SOURCE: CleanFARMS Inc.

Erin O'Hara, Media Relations, [email protected], 613-230-9881 x3223