November 12, 2004

The province today announced new pesticide use permit rates which Conservation Minister Stan Struthers said will maintain reliable and safe environmental protection efforts related to the use of pesticides.

The cost of operating the permit program has risen steadily since rates last changed in 1996.

"The new rate of $250, up from $100, will help recover the increases in costs and will enable the department to continue to ensure that pesticides are used safely and appropriately and are applied in an environmentally sustainable manner," said Struthers.

The new rate will also assist in:

• supporting the Clean Farm Program and the collection and proper disposal of obsolete farm chemicals including pesticides from Manitoba farms;

• reviewing and updating the conditions applied through the permits;

• participating in the federal pesticide registration process to ensure pesticides are safe and environmentally acceptable, and continuing to provide instruction on pesticide use to ensure proper application;

• ongoing implementation of a code of practice for golf courses in the application of pesticides;

• working co-operatively with the domestic pesticide industry regarding lawn pesticides to ensure they are used properly and appropriately; and

• ongoing inspection of municipal collection sites used for farm chemical containers.

The new rates will take affect Jan. 1, 2005.

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