Innovative Farm Chemicals Disposal Pilot for farmers in Derg Catchment
23 March 2022 16:48
(This includes the Northern Ireland part of the Derg Catchment, upstream of Derg Water Treatment Works)
The EU INTERREG VA funded Source to Tap project in conjunction with Northern Ireland Water has launched a new trial scheme which encourages farmers in the Derg catchment to register for free farm chemical disposal.
Diane Foster, Source to Tap Project Manager said:
“Northern Ireland Water regularly detects chemicals commonly used in the farmyard and on the land in the River Derg when the water is abstracted prior to treatment. As part of the Source to Tap project, farmers have changed their land management practices to reduce the loss of herbicide to the river, and that has already made a significant difference in reducing the concentrations in the river water.
“We know that chemicals are essential on the farm, but they can pose a risk, particularly if there are old containers which are unlicensed, unknown or out of date. Disposal of these products can be difficult.
“We are providing this free Farm Chemicals Disposal service to take these items away for you. This helps us to protect our water sources, tidies up your store and gives the farmer peace of mind.”
The scheme will collect:
- Herbicide / Weed Killer
- Sheep Dip
- Insecticide Sprays
- Rodenticides
- Fungicide Sprays
- Empty Containers
- Veterinary medicines
To register for the scheme, farmers should log on to:
https://forms.niwater.com/farm-chemicals-disposal-scheme/
Alternatively, contact Catchment Liaison Officers Peter Quinn on 07585996364 or Rebecca Allen on 07772225226 between 25th March and 1st April 2022. When calling you will be asked for your postcode, which will be used to check eligibility.
Your details will be passed on to our waste contractor who will contact you to arrange collection of your unwanted chemicals on a pre-arranged date. Terms and conditions for the scheme are available here: https://www.niwater.com/farm-chemical-disposal-terms/
The scheme will be available for a limited time on a first come, first served basis, with up to a maximum of 100 farmers involved at this stage.
Roy Taylor NI Water Catchment Manager added:
“We are happy to be working with our contractors McQuillan Environmental who will pick up the waste chemicals from the farm and dispose of them safely on our behalf and within all waste management regulations. I would really encourage farmers in the Northern Ireland part of the Derg Catchment to take up this opportunity and register for this great scheme.”
Further details including on what can be collected are available by contacting Catchment Liaison Officers Peter Quinn on 07585996364 or Rebecca Allen on 07772225226 or by e-mail at: catchment@niwater.com
-ENDS-
Notes to editor:
- Source to Tap (the Project) is a €4.9 million collaborative, cross-border project, which aims to deliver a Sustainable Catchment Area Management Plan (SCAMP) for the protection of source drinking water catchments.
- The Project is funded by the European Union’s INTERREG VA Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) with support from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH) in Ireland
(Total project value €4.9 million; €4.17 million through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through INTERREG VA and €0.7 million match funding through DAERA and DHLGH)
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