CleanFARMS program offers free disposal for farmers

 

 

Guelph, ON, September 25, 2009 – Farmers can safely dispose of their obsolete pesticides, unused animal health products and used sharps at collection sites across Ontario next month. The CleanFARMS^TM program will run October 20-22 as part of an Ontario government-supported Great Lakes Basin water quality initiative that offers farmers a free, safe way to recycle and dispose of these items.

 

“Canada’s plant science industry is pleased that its CleanFARMS^TM programming is being expanded to include other products that farmers need to dispose of properly,” says Dr. Lorne Hepworth, President of CropLife Canada, one of the principle funders of the program. “Farmers are the original stewards of the environment and we are happy to work hand in hand with them to support sustainable agriculture in all its facets.”

 

Sixteen collection sites have been designated across the province, where farmers will be able to bring their obsolete crop protection and animal health products and used sharps (needles, syringes and scalpel blades) during the three day blitz. There is no charge to farmers for the program.

 

 “This is a unique opportunity for farmers to safely dispose of these products free of charge,” says Lilian Schaer, Projects Manager with AGCare, which is co-ordinating the program. “Every effort helps when it comes to safeguarding our water quality.”

 

Agricultural pesticide products being returned should have a PCP number on the container. Acceptable animal health products should have a label with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) or contains the terms “vaccine, bacterin, toxoid, antitoxin, antibody or diagnostic”. Collection sites will not accept pesticides and animal health products in aerosol containers, medicated feed, premise disinfectants, or any household or human use items. Loose sharps will not be accepted – they must be brought in a closed rigid container. Ziploc bags are not acceptable.

 

Pesticide collection programs have been run in Canada by CropLife Canada since 1998 under the CleanFARMS^TM banner. This year’s CleanFARMS^TM program is co-ordinated by AGCare with financial support from CropLife Canada and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs. Other project partners include Ontario Farm Animal Council, Canadian Animal Health Institute, Ontario Veterinary Medical Association and Ontario Agri Business Association. For more information, visit www.agcare.org or www.croplife.ca.

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For more information:
Nadine Sisk, CropLife Canada – 613-230-9881, ext 3224, siskn@croplife.ca 
Lilian Schaer, AGCare – 519-212-9559, lschaer@agcare.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The program will run at the following locations during their respective business hours: 

A.    Ailsa Craig: Hensall District Co-operative, 116 Main Street

B.     Arnprior: M&R Feeds and Farm Supply Ltd., 70 Decosta Street

C.    Bethany: Thompsons Limited, 9 Elevator Road

D.    Brodhagen: Hoegy’s Farm Supply Ltd., 6777 Perth Line 44

E.     Courtland: Cargill, 159 Talbot Street

F.     Dundalk: Huron Bay Co-operative, 35 Dundalk Street

G.    Harriston: North Wellington Co-operative Services Inc., 56 Margaret Street South

H.    Kitchener: GROWMARK Inc. – Distribution Centre, 1 Chandaria Place, Unit 7

I.       Lancaster: Munro’s Agromart Ltd., 6011 Hwy #34

J.      Napanee: O’Neill’s Farm Supply, 1 Dairy Avenue

K.    Jordan Station: Vineland Growers Co-operative Ltd., 4150 Jordan Road

L.     Thornloe: Co-op Regionale – Temiskaming Ag Centre, 964027 Development Road, New Liskeard

M.   Orangeville: Holmes Agro Ltd., 473088 County Road 11

N.    Thunder Bay: Thunder Bay Co-op Farm Supply, 560 Boundary Drive

O.    Tilbury: Cargill, 23404 Wheatley Road

P.     Vienna: Max Underhill’s Farm Supply Ltd., 56532 Calton Line

 

(Note: letters correspond with map locations on the attached graphic)