More than 20,000 kilos of plant protection products handed in during cleanup campaign

In Limburg, a specialized company collected and processed more than 20,000 kilos of surplus crop protection agents from 442 farmers during the campaign 'Broom through the agents' cupboard'. The aim of the campaign was to give farmers the opportunity to get rid of their obsolete crop protection products free of charge and in a simple manner.

Plant protection product residues can remain in the resource cabinet, as farmers' pantries are called, for a variety of reasons. For example, a grower may have switched to other crops or a pesticide may no longer be legally used. Cleaning out the store cupboard is sometimes postponed because it is not easy. Normally companies have to pay a waste collector to do this. In principle companies are not allowed to dispose of their pesticides and herbicides at the municipal waste collection centre because it is meant for private individuals. Several farmers therefore indicated that they were pleased with the sweeping action. Arnold Jansen, DB member of the Limburg Water Board: "An additional benefit of the action is that all cabinets have been screened again for substances that may no longer be used.

Agriculture Deputy Lia Roefs:

"This successful action contributes to better water quality through the responsible handling of crop protection products. In this way, the farmers are doing their bit to achieve the set water goals. To everyone who participated in the action: thank you!"

How did that go?

After registering, a farm advisor visited the farmer to inspect the pesticide cupboard together and check for outdated and/or no longer permitted pesticides. All resources to be disposed of were labeled. A professional waste collector and processor collected and processed these agents. In total 442 farmers of the 510 participants in the sweep returned crop protection agents.

About 'Broom through the resource cabinet'

CLM Research and Advice carried out this project on behalf of the Province of Limburg, with co-financing from the Limburg Water Board, the Limburg Water Supply Company, the Horst aan de Maas municipality and the Beesel municipality. The Foundation for the Removal of Agricultural Pesticide Residues (STORL) provided a one-time payment and is currently working on a new system for the collection and processing of crop protection product residues. More information on sweeping actions and a summary of the results of the sweeping action in Limburg can be found at bezemdoordemiddelenkast.nl.

Source: Province of Limburg