1.3 Transport and Storage

Transport

Transport Options

Given the challenges of accessing local transport, these are some of the delivery methods available:

• Farmers buy and transport for themselves
• Cooperatives make a bulk purchase and jointly organize transport
• The distributor offers transport for purchased CPPs

Each option of course has advantages but also disadvantages to be considered:

Rules on transportation

Despite the transportation means and/or transportation-related obstacles, our responsibility should be committed to safeguarding local communities and the environment, ensuring safe transport of CPPs. Transportation of CPPs is covered by the law in many countries to make it as safe as possible and to give a framework in case of an accident. In countries where the transport of the product is not regulated, international standards exist offering guidelines and rules to support growers in this respect:

• Confirm that the vehicle complies with local security regulations
• Declare the type of CPPs to the driver of the transport vehicle.
• Mark portable CPP storage boxes to indicate that their content is dangerous
• Check that the loading surface is clean and dry
• Do not overload the vehicle with goods
• The amount of product carried should be limited to avoid bigger harm. In any case, equipment (i.e. spill kit) and procedures for cleaning and decontamination of the car should be in place
• Use boxes / compartments for transporting CPPs
• The boxes/compartments should not contain any sharp objects to avoid piercing the packaging inside
• Prevent the load from shifting during transport
• Transport CPPs separately from food and feed (e.g. in a separate container)
• Always transport CPPs in the original containers / packages
• Vehicles used for transport must be equipped with first aid equipment and appropriate safety provisions to deal with consequences of possible accidents
• Have spill-kit on board when transporting CPPs. And remember to always wear protective equipment when cleaning up, in case of spillage
• Understand the correct procedures for cleaning and decontaminating the vehicle

Safe Storage

As with transportation, storage of CPPs is also regulated in many countries. But even without regulations, there exist clear guidelines to follow to secure the storage of CPPs.

As a matter of fact, it is key to take suitable storage measures:

• They could prevent risks for human health and the environment.
• Besides, safe and proper storage of CPPs will contribute to keeping the product in good conditions for use and reduce the risk of theft and tampering

How the safe storage should be:

• Crop Protection Products should be locked in a storage facility. 
• The storage facility may be a locked box, a locked building or an installation specifically built to store chemicals.
• The size of the facility depends on the amount and the volume that needs to be stored.
• The location of the facility should be located away from warehouses and areas of public access.
• On the other hand, the facility should give an easy access to receive and distribute the products featuring good evacuation possibilities in case of an emergency.
• Also, only a person with an appropriate training must manage the access to storage facilities / boxes.

Simple rules that would enable a safe and a proper storage of Crop Protection Products:

• Always read the label. It contains essential information and pictograms concerning storage. And in some cases, specific instructions for certain products
• Crop Protection Products must be stored in a cool and dry area to maintain product quality
• Crop Protection Products are separated from food and feed
• The facility should have sufficient light and an operating ventilation system
• It is absolutely forbidden to eat, drink or smoke in the storage facility area or even close to it

Furthermore, a facility must be:

• Built with inflammable solid materials like concrete
• Protected against weather, especially against extremely high and low (frost) temperatures
• Lockable and equipped with appropriate warning signs and pictograms
• Equipped with a floor pan for the retention of fire water or leakages
• Equipped with a provision / spill kit to contain spills and leaks (sand, sawdust, other absorbent, e.g. sepiolite)
• Equipped with a fire extinguisher (powder type) inside and outside the store
• Close to a clean water source And is situated away from water courses and areas of public access

When it comes to the organization inside the room, one must: 

• Keep chemicals in their original containers tightly closed
• Store any wet container that has become contaminated in a tray to prevent spillage
• Ensure that the products are in a safe position from where they cannot fall down. The shelves where they are placed should have sides
• Make sure, if possible, that the products are lower than two meters from the ground to facilitate access, handling and organization
• Store liquid Crop Protection Products at the bottom of the shelf and solid ones above them to avoid spills and contamination
• Store the products by type (fungicides, herbicides, insecticides, etc.)
• Store instruments to mix and measure the products on another shelf
• Keep the absorptive material on hand to clean any product spillage