SUMMER 2012
Information updates from the Agrichemical Warehousing Standards Association
Commercial Seed
Treatment Facility
Standards being
developed
A multi-stakeholder steering group consisting of manufacturers,
ag-retailers, seed growers, seed cleaners, government regulators
and provincial compliance officers are in the process of developing
minimum environmental, health and safety standards for commercial
seed treatment operations. Ultimately these standards would
improve the stewardship practices of the storage and use of the
industry’s seed treatment products.
The formal set of draft Commercial Seed Treatment Standards
will be released later in July with a wide window for industry
consultation until the end of 2012. The future goal is to implement
the standards nationally by July 2014. These standards would result
in a third party audit to become a certified facility (similar to AWSA
criteria) that will be enforced with a no-ship policy commencing at
that time for commercial seed treatment products.
For further information on the draft standards please contact
CropLife Canada at 416-622-9771.
www.awsacanada.com
AWSA standards update
AWSA revised its standards in early 2011 with several
minor changes that were aimed at making the standards
more consistent, easier to understand and to improve the
audit process. One protocol that was included in the 2011
changes, but won’t be implemented until January 1, 2013
is Protocol I-1 (Site Insurance).
Commencing in 2013 all facilities being audited will require
Environmental Impairment Liability (EIL) Insurance which
provides a minimum of $2 million of coverage limits (up
from $1 million), and a maximum deductible of $25,000
per occurrence. In addition, sites that have two or more
locations will be required to carry coverage of $2 million
EIL Insurance with $4 million in aggregate coverage.
For more information on coverage requirements,
please contact the AWSA office 877-236-2972,
[email protected] or visit www.awsacanada.com
Inside AWSA NEWS
Compliance and enforcement
AWSA welcomes a new auditor in Quebec
AWSA auditors assess Bt corn growers
refuge again in 2012
AWSA welcomes new board members
Fertilizer Safety and Security Council update
Training & education
CleanFARMS update
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Compliance and enforcement
Each year AWSA auditors perform quality assurance visits on
certified facilities to ensure compliance with the protocols and to
assist operators with compliance. Approximately 50 to 70 random
spot audits occur in Canada from May to July. In 2011, the audits
resulted in 23 violations issued primarily for improper storage
of crop protection products and lack of annual fire alarm and
security testing at the facilities.
The AWSA standards require industry wide compliance. If you suspect
a facility is in non-compliance, report the infraction confidentially
to the AWSA office at 877-236-2972 or [email protected].
AWSA has a service policy of following up on complaints within
three business days and in most instances an auditor will visit
potential infractions the next day wherever they are in Canada.
Sites found deficient are issued a report which contains timelines
to rectify specific issues. Upon completion, sites are required to
forward documentation to the AWSA office.
AWSA welcomes a new auditor in Quebec
Dan Moore recently became accredited to perform both AWSA chemical warehouse and FSSC
Ammonia Code of Practice Audits. Dan in bilingual and brings a great deal of industry experience to
his new role as an AWSA auditor servicing the eastern Ontario and Quebec region.
Dan can be reached at 450-243-0485 or [email protected]
AWSA auditors assess Bt corn growers
refuge again in 2012
Select corn growers in Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec that
purchased Bt trait seed corn will be visited by one of several AWSA
auditors to assess their refuge planting practices that are required
by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and seed technology
providers. This is the third year that AWSA has provided auditing
services to the seed industry.
www.awsacanada.com
AWSA welcomes new board members
The AWSA board of directors has welcomed new board members
in recent months:
• Allan Bakke (Saskatchewan Agriculture)
• Dianna Emperingham (Bayer CropScience Canada)
The current AWSA board of directors includes:
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Dwight Osiowy (Acropolis Warehousing Inc.) – Chair
Allan Bakke (Saskatchewan Agriculture)
Kevin Brost (Chemtura Canada)
Dianna Emperingham (Bayer CropScience Canada)
Robert Fu (BASF Canada)
Gaston Gareau (Viterra)
Merle Hoegy (Brussels Agromart Ltd.)
Doug McLean (Cheminova Canada Inc.)
Ian McNeill (Federated Co-operatives Ltd.)
Rick Pierson (Univar Canada Ltd.)
Steve Rongits (GROWMARK Inc.)
Lynne Sweeney (Richardson International)
Fertilizer Safety and Security
Council update
The Ammonia Code of Practice was launched by the Fertilizer
Safety and Security Council (FSSC) in 2008 and is focused on
managing anhydrous ammonia’s safety and security risks. The
Code became mandatory in 2011 for all ag-retail facilities in
Canada that store and sell anhydrous ammonia.
• 440 facilities are currently certified across Canada
(as of June 13, 2012)
• A new edition of the FSSC Ammonia Code of Practice and
Implementation Guide was formally released earlier this
year with copies mailed to all certified sites. To download
an electronic version of the code and appendices visit:
www.fssc.ca/en/programs/ammonia-safety-andsecurity/ammonia-cop
• The new Ammonia Code of Practice came into effect on
May 1, 2012
For more information please call 866-311-0444 or visit:
www.fssc.ca
AWSA is pleased to partner with the FSSC as the project
manager for this program. Most AWSA auditors have been
certified to perform Ammonia Code of Practice audits.
Training & education
Online courses
MSDS compliance made easy
Customized ag-retail focused Transportation of Dangerous
Goods (TDG) and Workplace Hazardous Materials Information
System (WHMIS) training programs are available electronically
through the AWSA website. Users simply log on to the
course website, receive a confirmation code, click through
the required training materials, take a test at the end of each
module and print a certificate of training upon completion.
CDs and group discounts are available upon request. Visit
www.awsacanada.com for more information.
As part of AWSA’s compliance protocols, all facilities must have
access to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for the products
they handle (Protocol E14). As a service to all ag‑retail facilities,
North American Compendiums compiles a Canadian MSDS
reference book annually that now includes an option to build a
customized manual for your location. To order either a manual,
a CD or a customized binder call 800‑350‑0627 or visit
www.awsamsds.com
www.awsacanada.com
CleanFARMS update
Empty pesticide container recycling
Empty pesticide paper bag collection program
CleanFARMS continues to see widespread participation in its
empty pesticide container recycling program. Collection rates
for 2011 were down slightly to a 64 percent recovery rate
of containers less than 23 litres shipped into the Canadian
marketplace. The return rate was down primarily due to
difficult weather conditions in the Prairie provinces.
CleanFARMS continues to operate a multi-walled pesticide paper
bag collection program in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and
New Brunswick. The empty bags are collected at ag-retail sites
and are sent to Charlottetown’s waste to energy facility where
energy is generated for the city’s heating requirements.
Obsolete pesticide collection
CleanFARMS marked a very ambitious year in 2011 with
collection programs in regions of British Columbia (Vancouver
Island & Fraser Valley), Alberta (Rocky View County), southern
Saskatchewan, Quebec and Prince Edward Island with over
145,000 kilograms collected and safely destroyed through
high temperature incineration.
This year, CleanFARMS will be operating collections in
regions of British Columbia (Okanagan, Interior and
Peace), southern Alberta, northern Saskatchewan,
Manitoba, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Collection
locations and dates will be posted in early July.
Other agricultural plastics
CleanFARMS is currently engaged in several pilot programs
in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario with various
government stakeholders in the development and operation
of grain bag, bale wrap and twine collection initiatives with the
ultimate goal of establishing permanent collection and recycling
programs nationally.
For more information on CleanFARMS and its various stewardship
activities visit www.cleanfarms.ca or call 877‑622‑4460.
Contact AWSA
For compliance or certification information contact
AWSA’s project manager:
Anthony Laycock
Toll-free 1 877 236 AWSA (2972)
T 416 968 9424 . F 416 968 6818
[email protected]
www.awsacanada.com
Russel Hurst, Executive Director
21 Four Seasons Place, Suite 627
Etobicoke, ON M9B 6J8
T 416 622 9771 x 2223
F 416 622 6764
[email protected]