A farmer in Co. Roscommon disposed of over 4kg of cyanide at an environmental hazardous waste event at the weekend, Shannonside Radio reports.
An elderly farmer allegedly had the toxic chemical in his shed for 45 years, which he originally bought for dealing with vermin on his farm.
Speaking to Shannonside Radio, Environmental Officer with Roscommon Council Suzanne Dempsey said that there was enough cyanide to ‘wipe out most of the county’.
We were delighted that was taken off the farm and so was he actually. He had it for 45 years in his shed would you believe, and he said he originally bought it for killing rabbits.
“But it’s a huge quantity of that particular chemical. It is a very toxic chemical, in fact the chemical expert that was on site on the day said it would have been enough to wipe out most of the county,” she said.
The farm hazardous waste collection service, which take in pesticides, herbicides and veterinary medicines, was organised by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Don’t forget hazardous waste collection in Roscommon today- Even one deposit of 4kg of cyanide @TeagascEnviron @EPAIreland @roscommoncoco pic.twitter.com/2XbIeqOhUE
— Denis Naughten (@DenisNaughten) November 19, 2016
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Farm Hazardous Waste Collection Events
There are two more Farm Hazardous Waste Collection events to take place before the end of the November.
On Friday, November 25, farmers can bring their hazardous waste to Ballybay Mart in Co. Monaghan to be disposed of.
Meanwhile, the final event will take place in Drummond’s Yard in Navan, Co. Meath, on Wednesday, November 30.
Farmers can use the service to safely dispose of veterinary medicines, pesticides, herbicides, plastic or metal containers, electrical equipment and oil or air filters.
Source: Teagasc Twitter
Almost 120t of farm hazardous waste has been collected from farmers during the first half of the EPA campaign, which visited counties Wicklow, Kildare, Cork and Kerry.
It is reported that over 1,000 farmers used the first five collection events disposing of 5t of veterinary medicines, 5t of pesticides and herbicides, 57t of waste oil and 35t of batteries and electrical goods.