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Farmers in B.C. region return 1,000 kg obsolete pesticides

December
12, 2011 – Farmers in the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) in B.C.
turned in 1,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides during a one-day collection
held in partnership with CleanFARMS.

December
12, 2011 – Farmers in the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) in B.C.
turned in 1,000 kilograms of obsolete pesticides during a one-day collection
held in partnership with CleanFARMS.

“CleanFARMS
is proud to offer collection programs to ensure unwanted or obsolete pesticides
can be disposed of in an environmentally responsible way, at no cost to
farmers,” said Barry Friesen, general manager of CleanFARMS, a national,
industry-led stewardship organization. “Thanks to the commitment of both
farmers and the CVRD, this year’s collection was a great success.”

On Oct.
5, producers were invited to return their unwanted or obsolete pesticides at
the Bings Creek Waste Management facility. Throughout the month of October
collections were also held at four other locations throughout the Fraser Valley
and Vancouver Island.

“The
Cowichan Valley Regional District is excited about partnering with CleanFARMS
to safely dispose of obsolete pesticides,” said Gerry Giles, area director for
Electoral Area C (Cobble Hill). “Our communities and local farmers are
committed to protecting our environment and water and they have shown this by
collecting and safely disposing of more than 1,000 kilograms of obsolete
pesticides.”

CleanFARMS
partnered with the B.C. Agriculture Council (BCAC), through the Agriculture
Environment and Wildlife Fund of the BC Investment Agriculture Foundation, to
fund and operate this program.

The
CleanFARMS obsolete pesticide collection program is a national, industry-led
program. Since 1998 more than 1.4 million kilograms of obsolete or unwanted
agricultural pesticides have been collected through the program – more than
207,000 of which have been collected in B.C. After collection, the pesticides
are safely and responsibly disposed of.

For
more information on the plant science industry’s recycling initiatives, please
visit www.CleanFARMS.ca.