The Protected Agriculture Water Stewardship Program is not a government program; it is managed by the Agrichemical Warehousing Standards Association (AWSA). The intention is to reduce the discharge of greenhouse chemicals into water bodies. Protected Agriculture (PA) refers to crops that are grown under fixed structures such as greenhouses and warehouses. The program is not intended to capture high tunnels, cold frames or similar structures with open sides that are not self-contained.
If you use greenhouse labelled chemicals, to be able to purchase these chemicals you will need to register as a Category 1 closed loop recirculation system, or Category 2 open irrigation system. If in Category 1, the operation will need to get certified to access these pesticide products, if in Category 2, a declaration will need to be registered and confirmed and a waiver provided. If certifying all protocols must be completed by June 20, 2024. For more information, click HERE.
The BC Greenhouse Growers’ Association has also shared resources they created. You can find those HERE. To Register for the Program either in Category 1 or 2, click HERE.
