- i. Use and storage ban on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
- ii. Collection of unwanted agricultural chemicals
f. Chemical collections and related programmes
Chemicals can threaten soil, water or air quality as well as flora and fauna. In addition to controls on registration and use, New Zealand currently has temporary programmes to collect chemicals which have been prohibited or are surplus to users' requirements.
i. Use and storage ban on polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
The New Zealand Government prohibited the use of PCBs, including use in existing electric motors and other equipment, effective January 1, 1994, and prohibited the storage of PCBs effective August 1, 1995. All users and holders of PCBs are responsible for removing and properly disposing of them at their own cost. The Ministry of Health budget has $310,000, for 1994/95 only, which is primarily to identify and publicise types of equipment containing PCBs and to promote greater awareness of the environmental and health hazards of PCBs. The programme targets a range of equipment containing PCBs. This includes some electrical equipment used on farms, although this is only a small part of the total.
Implementing agency: Ministry of Health
1994/95 Budget: $310,000 (largely non-agriculture-related)
ii. Collection of unwanted agricultural chemicals
Several regional councils have initiated programmes to collect unwanted chemicals from users in order to remove out of date chemicals from circulation and to reduce the risk of accidental contamination from improper and prolonged storage. Most councils have focused on the agricultural sector, but have accepted unwanted chemicals from others as well. This service has been provided free of charge to users. Expenditure by regional councils for 1994/95 is estimated at approximately $900,000; much of this is funded by the Resource Management Grants programme of the Ministry for the Environment (see 1b above).
Implementing agency: Regional councils
1994/95 Budget: $900,000 (estimated, also included in the budget for 1h, below)
Contact for Enquiries
MAF Information Services
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526
Wellington, NEW ZEALAND
Fax: +64 4 894 0721
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