New bill targets firms behind farmland fly-tipping

Proposals to hold large companies accountable for waste crime have been backed by farmers facing clean-up bills running into hundreds of thousands of pounds.

A proposed new law aims to tackle commercial waste crime by holding large companies accountable when their waste ends up being fly-tipped.

The Corporate Waste Crime Responsibility Bill was discussed at a meeting in the House of Lords this week, where Hertfordshire farmer Will Dickinson spoke in support of the proposals.

See also: Farmer attacks fly-tip law after massive waste dump

Mr Dickinson, who farms near St Albans and helps lead the NFU’s campaigning on fly-tipping, said organised criminal gangs were causing widespread damage to the countryside.

Will Dickinson with his wife Jan in Westminster Hall after the House of Lords meeting © NFU

The Private Member’s Bill, brought forward by Liberal Democrat peer Baroness Sheehan, seeks to require large companies to appoint a named director responsible for waste compliance.

It aims to strengthen corporate accountability where businesses fail to meet their legal obligations and their waste ends up being fly-tipped.

Supporters say the measures could help tackle waste crime at source by making businesses more accountable for how their waste is handled.

£350,000 case

Mr Dickinson highlighted the case of Essex farmer Alex Sell, who faces a bill of about £350,000 to clear 2,000t of waste dumped on his land at North Stifford, near Grays.

He also described how a public fundraiser was needed to help prevent his 80-year-old neighbour facing financial ruin after being legally obliged to pay more than £50,000 to clear 200t of rubbish fly-tipped on his farm.

Mr Dickinson said a recent spate of incidents had seen about 15 lorryloads of rubbish dumped around the St Albans area in the 10 days before the meeting.

Alex Sell © NFU

“Fly-tipping is out of control in this country,” he said.

“Organised criminal gangs are wreaking havoc in the countryside, costing the farming industry tens of millions of pounds in clear-up costs, threatening our livelihoods, jeopardising national food security and damaging the environment.”

A report supporting the bill estimates fly-tipping costs the UK economy £2bn a year, with an estimated 38m tonnes of waste handled illegally in England annually.

The NFU is also calling for changes to ensure farmers are not left responsible for clearing waste dumped on their land without permission. It wants better co-operation between authorities to increase arrests and convictions, alongside tougher penalties for offenders.

NFU survey

A new NFU survey found nearly half of farmers questioned believed fly-tipping had worsened.

Mr Dickinson welcomed the proposed legislation but said further action would be needed.

“Anything to help tackle this awful crime is welcomed and hopefully this will make a positive impact,” he said.

The bill is scheduled for its second reading in the House of Lords on 20 November.