Managing Agricultural Waste
Since the introduction of Agricultural Waste Regulations in 2006, waste materials generated on-farm such as plastic and cardboard packaging wastes, plant trimmings, demolition rubble and redundant machinery have been controlled under waste regulations.
Farmers need to find ways of managing wastes produced on-farm since disposal routes used in the past (such as on-farm burning or burial) are no longer permitted under legislation. Activities taking place on farm which involve storage, treatment, use or disposal of such “waste” materials are controlled by waste regulations. There are also controls on how waste can be transported and the documentation that must accompany waste when passed on to others. Farmers carrying out waste related activities on-farm need to register the appropriate exemption (or permit) with the Environment Agency (EA) and comply with the conditions of those exemptions or permits. It is expected that almost every farm business would need at least one waste exemption.
NFU Business Guides
It is essential that farm businesses understand how these waste controls impact on them so that they can ensure they build compliance into their everyday farming business activities. Business Guide 821 has been developed to explain the regulatory controls that apply, and the options for dealing with agricultural waste. Business Guide 822 aims to provide farmers with detail on the waste exemptions system, and to assist farmers in identifying which of the exemptions might apply to their activities.
The Business Guides are available for NFU members to download by logging into myNFU and searching for "waste" in the Members' Library.
For more background information on the definition of waste, waste regulatory controls and mechanisms by which materials may be excluded from waste regulations, view NFU Business Guide 088A. Specific information on the landspreading of wastes or recycled materials for agricultural benefit, use as animal bedding, or use in construction projects can be found in NFU Business Guide 088B. Both of these Business Guides available in the Members' Library within myNFU.
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