Saskatchewan farmers to participate in obsolete pesticide collection program

ETOBICOKE, ON, Oct. 16, 2012 /CNW/ - As farmers finish up their harvest, they're being invited to participate in an obsolete pesticide collection program.

The program had a successful run in southern Saskatchewan last year collecting 36,355 kilograms of obsolete pesticides. This year, farmers in the central and northern part of the province are being asked to drop off their unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides at one of 22 collection locations over a three-day period between October 16 and 18.

The collection program is operated by CleanFARMS, an industry-led national not-for-profit agricultural waste management organization. "CleanFARMS is pleased to provide this environmentally safe way for farmers to dispose of their unwanted or obsolete agricultural pesticides," says Barry Friesen, general manager of CleanFARMS. The program comes at no cost to farmers.

"Saskatchewan farmers are delighted to see this program return to Saskatchewan. Having this program available to us makes it that much easier to protect our land and the environment as a whole," says Norman Hall, president of the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan farmers have a long history of good stewardship practices. Since 1998 they've returned more than 316,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides. After collection, the pesticides are taken to a licensed waste management facility where they are disposed of through high temperature incineration.

"Farmers are passionate about what they do and they're equally passionate about protecting the environment along the way. We always see great participation when we run a program like this," says Friesen.

Farmers are invited to return all of their obsolete or unwanted agricultural pesticides in a secure container with the product label attached. This program is strictly for agricultural pesticides; adjuvents, fertilizers, treated seed, paint, solvents and domestic pesticides will not be accepted.

Collections will take place at the following locations from October 16 - 18:

• Biggar, Rack Petroleum Ltd.
• Canora, Viterra
• Gull Lake, South West Terminal Ltd.
• Humboldt, Viterra
• Kelvington, Viterra
• Leader, G-Mac's AgTeam Inc.
• Lloydminster, Viterra
• Meadow Lake, Cavalier Agro Ltd.
• Melfort, Viterra
• Moose Jaw, Prairie Plains Agro Ltd.
• Naicam, Naicam Co-op - Agronomy Centre
• Nipawin, Pineland Co-op - Nipawin Agro
• North Battleford, Viterra
• Plenty, G-Mac's AgTeam Inc.
• Prince Albert, Prince Albert Co-op - Agro Centre
• Rosthern, Wentland Ag Services Ltd.
• Saskatoon, Richardson Pioneer
• Spiritwood, Crop Production Services (CPS) Inc.
• Tullis, Gardiner Dam Terminal Ltd.
• Watrous, Viterra
• Wynyard, Wynyard Co-op - Farm & Ranch
• Yorkton, Viterra

For more information, visit www.cleanfarms.ca.

SOURCE: CleanFARMS(R)

Erin O'Hara
613-230-9881 or 613-608-3446
[email protected]