No problems seen with Canada edict on ammonia

Washington, D.C.-The fertilizer industry anticipates no problems with trans border shipments because of Canada’s reclassifying anhydrous ammonia from a non-toxic non-flammable gas to a toxic gas, according to The Fertilizer Institute. “The changes in the Canadian regulations do not affect the trans border movement of ammonia,” TFI spokeswoman Kathy Mathers informed Green Markets. “For shipments from Canada, either Canadian placard is recognized under the reciprocity provisions of Department of Transportation regulations. The reciprocity provisions have existed for many years and were recently reaffirmed in a final rule issued by DOT on May 3, 2007.” Mathers added that shipments into Canada must display one of the Canadian placards and not the U.S. 2.2 placard. David MacKay, executive director of the Canadian Association of Agri-Retailers (CAAR), said there has been a fair amount of border crossing in the past with ammonia tanks, and he expects to see additional traffic this spring. “Any vessel when entering must comply with Canada’s safety laws,” McKay emphasized. CAAR and the rest of the Canadian fertilizer industry were full participants and supported the process that led to the reclassification made in the interest of public safety by the Ministry of Transportation and published Feb. 20. The ministry explained that the new regulations are consistent with current international and Canadian standards and coincide with United Nations recommendations on transporting dangerous goods. David Finlayson, CFI vice president for science and risk management, said the fertilizer industry “worked hard over the last several years to achieve the final amendment, which in technical terms changes the classification from a 2.2 compressed gas to a 2.3 toxic gas.” MacKay added that CAAR was consulted and his members “are comfortable living with the designation.” Both Finlayson and MacKay noted that because of the industry efforts the skull and crossbones signs will not be required on nurse tanks, trucks, and railcars. Instead, a white placard will be used with black letters reading “anhydrous ammonia under pressure ?Çô toxic.” MacKay said the skull and crossbones “would suggest unwarranted fear,” while the white placard is “much more specific and accurate as to the danger involved.” The new classification takes effect immediately, he said, but industry has until Aug. 30 to comply.