The centres, which will open in Ireland during October and November, will be operated by a cross-government team comprising of the EPA, Teagasc, the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, and local authorities in Laois, Longford, Clare, Galway, Carlow, Kerry, Tipperary, Louth, Wexford and Cork, working with recycling operators WEEE Ireland and the European Recycling Platform (ERP).
-- Advertisement --
Tom Hayes TD, Minster of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, said: "These collection centres provide farmers with an excellent opportunity to clean out their stores and remove any pesticides which are deregulated and therefore banned from use.
"Over 32 tonnes of pesticides were brought by farmers to collection centres during similar campaigns in recent years. By using the centres, farmers are complying with regulations relating to the safe use of pesticides as well as safeguarding their own health and the environment."
Jane Brogan, Scientific Officer, EPA, said: "The collection scheme receives overwhelming support from farmers who demonstrate their willingness to contribute financially to the environmental sound management of their hazardous waste when presented with an accessible opportunity.
"The popularity of the 2013 and 2014 campaigns clearly show the need for a long-term, sustainable and affordable national scheme for the collection of hazardous farm waste. Information gathered during the collections will assist in the establishment of such a scheme."
(CD/JP)
