NFU campaigning secures tougher action on waste crime
Photo: Chris Moorhouse 2021
Farmers and growers could see tougher action taken against fly-tippers under new government measures aimed at tackling waste crime. The announcement follows years of NFU campaigning, backed by evidence from members dealing with the cost and impact of illegal dumping.
The NFU has long called for stronger action against the organised criminals who profit from illegal waste sites and fly-tipping on farmland.
Following years of NFU campaigning, the government has announced new measures to clear illegal waste sites and tackle the criminal networks behind them. The plans, unveiled this week, aim to stop organised criminals from operating waste sites illegally and strengthen enforcement against waste crime.
Members’ experiences strengthened the NFU’s case
NFU members have helped demonstrate the true impact of waste crime on farming businesses, families and the countryside.
Cases raised by the NFU include a Hertfordshire farmer who faced a £40,000 clean-up bill after 200 tonnes of rubbish were dumped on his land, and a Yorkshire farmer enduring near-daily fly-tipping.
By taking members’ experiences directly to decision-makers, the NFU continues to make the case for stronger enforcement and meaningful penalties.
“Waste crime places a serious emotional, financial and environmental burden on British farmers and growers.”
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has set out a new plan to put a stop to criminal gangs running illegal waste sites.
The government’s new package includes plans to:
- bring together government, regulators, police, local authorities and Mayors against the criminal gangs orchestrating illegal waste sites
- put more officers on the frontline to seize criminals’ belongings
- increase the use of drones
- Increase fines for waste offences from £300 to £5,000.
- fund the clean up three of the country’s worst illegal dumps.
The measures build on the Waste Crime Action Plan and reflect several areas where the NFU has consistently pressed for tougher action, including stronger enforcement and a greater focus on the profits made by criminals.
NFU Vice-president Robyn Munt said: “From the Hertfordshire farmer who faced a £40,000 clean-up bill after 200 tonnes of rubbish were dumped on his land, to the Yorkshire farmer enduring near-daily fly-tipping, waste crime places a serious emotional, financial and environmental burden on British farmers and growers.”
We need tougher action
Robyn went on to say, “The NFU has long called for tougher action, so measures to increase fines, strengthen enforcement and target criminals’ profits are a positive step forward.”
Farmers should not shoulder the burden alone
She added, “But ambition at a national level must translate into action on the ground and better coordination between those who will deliver it. That means providing the resources needed to enforce the rules, secure effective prosecutions and impose meaningful penalties so that waste crime does not pay and farmers and growers are not left to shoulder this burden alone.”
The NFU will keep standing up for members
Farmers and growers should not have to shoulder the financial and emotional burden of crimes committed against them.
The NFU will continue to use members’ evidence, engage with government and work with enforcement bodies to press for a system in which waste criminals are caught, prosecuted and made to pay.
If you have had issues with waste crime – Share your experiences and let’s end fly-tipping.
