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U.S., Mexico collect unwanted pesticides in Imperial County and Mexicali, March 26-27

Release Date: 03/26/2008
Contact Information: Francisco Arcaute Cell (213) 798-1404 arcaute.francisco@epa.gov

LOS ANGELES - With the goal of eliminating an estimated 37,000 pounds of harmful pesticides from local farms and communities, environmental agencies from the U.S and Mexico will collect obsolete or unwanted pesticides from area growers this week.

On Wednesday, pre-registered growers will bring in unwanted pesticides to the Allied Waste Facility in Imperial County, Calif. On Thursday, pre-registered growers will do the same at a collection site near Mexicali, Mexico. The collected pesticides will be disposed of at a licensed hazardous waste facility.

“Because agriculture is prevalent in Imperial County and Mexicali, there’s a legacy of pesticide use. We encourage growers from the U.S. and Mexico to legally dispose of unwanted and obsolete pesticides, reducing the threat of exposure to toxic substances to people and the environment,” said Katherine Taylor, Associate Director for Agriculture at EPA Region 9.

This event is sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Border 2012 program, California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation, Imperial County Agricultural Commissioner, Mexico’s Secretariat for the Environment and Natural Resources, SEMARNAT, and Mexico’s health agency ISESALUD.

“This effort is an excellent example of cooperation among state and federal agencies and our partners across the border,” said Mary-Ann Warmerdam, director of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR). “We all share the same concerns about unwanted pesticides that pose a hazard to our people and our environment.”

DPR works with state, federal, and Mexican agencies to foster safe pesticide use along a 100-mile section of the border. For more information on DPR, please visit: www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/enforce/usmexbrd/index.htm

“We have always had a good working relationship with Mexican agriculture officials and this project is an example of what these relationships can accomplish. Through this joint effort, a significant amount of unwanted pesticides will be safely removed from the environment. I wish to thank EPA region 9 for developing this program and CDPR for providing support,” said Stephen L. Birdsall, Imperial County Agricultural Commissioner.

The EPA’s Border 2012 U.S.-Mexico Environmental Program protects the environment and public health for 10 states on both sides of the 2000 mile border, including 26 U.S. tribes and 7 groups of Mexican Indigenous People. Border 2012 seeks to reduce pollution in water, air, and on land, reduce exposure to chemicals from accidental releases or terrorism, and improve environmental stewardship.

For more information, please visit: https://www.epa.gov/usmexicoborder/features/pesticides-collection/index.html

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