FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2009
Environmental Factor’s Liqui-Gold seeking Federal approval as a natural weed and feed
July 24, 2009, OSHAWA – With pesticides banned for sale and use in Ontario, finding natural healthier alternatives for lawn care is not merely a matter of finding natural products that work – they must also receive Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) approval.
After five years of development, Liqui-Gold Bio-fertilizer was regulated under the Fertilizer Act and became available to the commercial market in 2008 and to the retail in 2009. Liqui-Gold is a specially formulated natural fertilizer derived from corn gluten and has had a successful entry into the pesticide-free market as a fertilizer.
However, because Liqui-Gold contains an active ingredient that may control weeds, it is now currently under review by Health Canada’s PMRA as a bio-herbicide or weed inhibitor as well. The Environmental Factor is expecting approval soon.
To get approval, products need to be tried, tested and proven to work without negative repercussions – that’s a process that involves time and Canada’s PMRA. Many organizations weren’t prepared for the pesticide ban and they’re now scrambling to find a solution that works to keep their property weed free.
The Environmental Factor was founded over 15 years ago and has developed a line of natural, non-chemical weed control products such as TurfMaize. They’ve been ready for this change for years.
“When we first got started, offering environmentally friendly lawn care products wasn’t popular, but we stayed the course because it was the right thing to do,” says Lorelei Hepburn, president of The Environmental Factor. “Today, our track record has allowed us to be industry leaders offering natural lawn care alternatives that work.”
Ontario already recognizes Corn Gluten Meal “as a great way to keep lawn weeds at bay.” Liqui-Gold is derived from plants and is a corn by-product. It is a natural based product designed for professional use with all the benefits of corn gluten meal, only in sprayable form.
“Because Liqui-Gold is a highly concentrated liquid, water must be added prior to spraying,” says Lorelei Hepburn. “As a result, more turf coverage can be achieved with less cost than granular corn gluten.”
The ingredients in Liqui-Gold are protein powered nutrients which give applicators a sprayable plant based arsenal to fertilize lawns to crowd out weeds.
“Because our company was founded with an emphasis on natural and energy saving products, I’m very pleased to say that our development of LiquiGold has taken a product that for years has been considered waste, and converted it to good use,” says Hepburn.
While approval as a bio-herbicide is expected in 2010, Liqui-Gold will continue to be available as a natural fertilizer that thickens lawns and crowds out unwanted weeds.
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About The Environmental Factor
The Environmental Factor, a leading natural lawn-care company, has provided organic lawn-care solutions for over 15 years. They developed Canada’s first non-chemical weed control, TurfMaize, Neema Globe, and the Persea Natural Care System for lawns; the first do-it-yourself lawn care system without chemical pesticides.
For further information contact:
Peter Turkington
Strategic Communications Solutions
Direct Phone: 905.901.9218
Email: pturkington@stratcommsolutions.ca
Web: www.stratcommsolutions.ca
