Fly-tipping on increase, warns union

16 August 2000



Fly-tipping on increase, warns union

By FWi staff

BURNT-OUT cars, disused baths, armchairs, rubble and old tyres are being dumped on farmers land in increasing numbers, according to new research.

More than half the respondents to a National Farmers Union survey said fly-tipping is a major on-going problem.

And more than a quarter reported a significant increase in over the past year.

The union says with harvest now in full swing and many fields open for easy access, illegal dumping likely to increase further over the next few weeks.

Perpetrators are seldom brought to book because a substantial amount of evidence is necessary for successful prosecution, says the NFU.

And in the absence of the offender, local authorities can take action against the landowner to remove the offending material.

NFU deputy president Tim Bennett said: “It is quite unacceptable that farmers have to bear the brunt of the costs of clearing up a crime they didnt commit.

He said the problem had worsened since the introduction of the Landfill Tax.

Instead of encouraging people to recycle their rubbish, this has simply increased the illegal dumping of waste, said Mr Bennett.

He suggested farmers should get Landfill Tax Scheme credits to help with the costs of removing fly-tipped material, and disposal fees at licensed landfill sites waived.

The Flytipping Stakeholders Forum will reconvene in the autumn to consider the problem, says the NFU.

This includes the Environment Agency; NFU; Country Landowners Association; the Federation of Small Businesses; Railtrack; British Waterways, and the National Trust.

To discourage fly-tippers the union recommends that farmers