This is why DEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are giving farmers and other residents the opportunity to get rid of unwanted, unlabeled, misbranded, cancelled pesticides and household hazardous substances that they may still be keeping.
During a press briefing yesterday at the Agriculture Station in Kagman, EPA Emergency Response Section’s Christopher Weden said they were able to put together a fund request for the transportation and disposal of the pesticides that will be collected in the CNMI.
There is no pesticide disposal system in the CNMI.
After a pesticide amnesty collection day was held on Guam, the EPA was contacted by the CNMI.
EPA pesticide officer Marcy Katzin said the pesticide amnesty program is timely because DEQ will revise its pesticide regulations.
This is also the most extensive collaboration between the local agencies and the EPA, she said.
The U.S. Coast Guard will transport the pesticides that will be collected this week.
Saipan farmers and residents can bring their unwanted pesticides and any hazardous materials to the Kagman Agriculture Station and the Koblerville Fire Station tomorrow, July 16.
On Rota, the pesticides will be collected on Friday at the Sunset Villa.
On Tinian, on Saturday, the pesticides will be collected at the Department of Public Works compound.
All collections will start at 8 a.m.
Asap Ogumoro, a farmer and the secretary of the Saipan Sabalu Farmers Market Association, said many farmers are now considering using organic pesticides.
DEQ public information officer Reina Camacho said aside from helping the farmers, the amnesty program also addresses public health concerns.
