Fly-tipped farmer fundraiser tops £54,000

A fundraiser for a Herefordshire farmer targeted by fly-tippers has surpassed £54,000, as the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs unveils new waste crime enforcement technology.

The online appeal, organised by a concerned member of the public, Archie Ford, originally aimed to raise £45,000 for the unnamed farmer.

Donations have now exceeded £54,000.

See also: Farmland waste dumper ordered to pay £1.4m

In an update on the fundraising page, Mr Ford said: “Thank you very much to all those who have donated – we have exceeded our goal! This could not have been achieved without your help and support.”

He confirmed a deadline for contributions, adding: “I am setting a cut off of 18 March for donations (a cap cannot be set and this is the soonest possible date as per JustGiving’s rules).”

Mr Ford said he would withdraw the funds on 27 February, “the earliest opportunity as per JustGiving’s rules”, and aims to hand the money to the farmer in the first week of March.

He stated: “This will all be documented and evidenced, for everyone’s peace of mind.”

Surplus to be shared

Any money raised between 27 February and 18 March will also be passed on in full.

According to Mr Ford, the farmer “has already expressed his wish to distribute it among other farmers facing similar problems with fly tipping”.

The update comes as the Environment Agency announced an enhanced package of surveillance and investigative measures to tackle waste crime on Friday, 20 February 2026.

Phil Davies, head of the Joint Unit for Waste Crime, said: “Illegal waste dumping is appalling, and we are determined to turn the tide on this heinous crime.”

A 33-strong drone squad will track illegal dumps, with some drones upgraded to carry laser mapping technology.

A new screening tool will allow officers to cross-check lorry licence applications against waste permits, while a reinforced 20-strong Joint Unit for Waste Crime will work with law enforcement partners.

The agency confirmed 751 illegal waste sites were shut down in a record year.

Defra pledge

Defra secretary Emma Reynolds said: “This government is aggressively pursuing waste criminals and bringing offenders to justice.”

An NFU spokesman said stronger co-ordination, deterrent penalties and a single reporting system were needed, adding: “Farmers are ready to play their part, but we need a system that works with us, not one that leaves us picking up the bill.”