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PROVINCE COLLECTS OLD AND LEFTOVER FARM CHEMICALS IN OPERATION
CLEANFARM
In a move to eliminate unwanted and leftover chemicals from
farms, the province is launching Phase Two of the Operation
CleanFarm program to collect and dispose of these hazardous
materials, Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives (MAFRI) Minister
Rosann Wowchuk announced today.
"Operation CleanFarm is a safe and efficient way for farmers to
dispose of forgotten, old, outdated, unregistered or obsolete
chemicals that can accumulate at the end of each season," said
Wowchuk. "Farmers are encouraged to take advantage of this one-time
opportunity to remove these potentially hazardous materials from
their property."
Conservation Minister Stan Struthers noted that stockpiles of old
and partially filled containers of chemicals common to farm
operations may pose a health and environmental risk and need to be
disposed of properly.
"Farmers won't take the chance of contaminating their land or
water by carelessly dumping chemical waste, so their only option is
to store it," said Struthers. "The corrosive leaks or volatile
nature of some chemicals also makes them dangerous to keep in the
vicinity of homes, families and livestock. This disposal program
solves that problem."
Operation CleanFarm is a free, two-year disposal program launched
in 2003 by the province in partnership with CropLife Canada (CLC).
The program is funded by CLC ($300,000), MAFRI ($100,000), Manitoba
Conservation ($100,000) and the Manitoba Rural Adaptation Council
($100,000).
This year, the pick-up will be from farms located along the
Trans-Canada Highway and north of the highway. Last year, chemicals
were collected from farms located along the Trans-Canada and south
of the highway.
"CropLife Canada is pleased to partner with the Province of
Manitoba to assist in creating safer farming communities and
promoting environmental stewardship," said Cam Davreux,
vice-president, CLC.
The collection dates for farm chemical disposal are Oct. 5, 6 and
7 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at any of the following collection
sites:
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