Farmers in parts of Northern Ireland have been urged to register for a free waste chemical collection service in a bid to cut pollution risks.

The Farm Chemical Disposal Scheme is run by NI Water in areas around Spamount, Castlederg, Killen, Aghyaran, Killeter and parts of County Tyrone.

See also: Slurry breaches increase as farm inspections intensify

A registration window for the scheme opened on 1 November and will close at the end of the month.

Officials at NI Water will then arrange on-farm collection of unwanted or out-of-date chemicals from 9 January 2023.  

Chemical types include:

• Herbicides
• Weedkiller
• Sheep dip chemicals
• Insecticide sprays
• Rodenticides
• Fungicide sprays
• Veterinary medicines
• Empty containers

Water catchment officer Peter Quinn explained: “This scheme is taking place to reduce the risk of dangerous chemicals making their way into watercourses.

“These watercourses lead to the River Derg, which is an important drinking water source for the local area.”

Mr Quinn added that collection would be via a firm of contractors, McQuillan Environmental.

“The contractor will collect waste chemicals from the farmyard and dispose of them safely on our behalf and within all waste management regulations,” Mr Quinn said.

He also stressed that all chemicals would be disposed of safely and confidentially.

UFU backing

The initiative has won the backing of the Ulster Farmers’ Union (UFU) after successful trials of a pilot scheme were carried out in April this year.

Union deputy president John McLenaghan said the scheme would be hugely beneficial for local farmers in helping them to protect the countryside.

“We encourage farmers in the Co Tyrone part of the drinking water catchment, upstream of the Ardstraw treatment works, to use this service”, Mr McLenaghan said.

“It’s an excellent scheme that will ensure the safe disposal of chemicals helping to avoid contamination of watercourses. It will also help farmers to tidy up their stores on farm.”