Farmers are calling for stronger enforcement against illegal dumping of waste which has seen an increase of 4%, according to figures released by Defra today.
Defra also said action taken against culprits has fallen as fly-tipping incidents increase.
But the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) said the figures do not reflect the true scale of the crime because reports of fly-tipping on private rural land have not been included.
"These figures do not tell the full story of this disgraceful behaviour which blights our beautiful countryside," said CLA president Ross Murray.
"Local authorities tend not to get involved with clearing incidences of fly-tipped waste from private land leaving the landowner to clean up and foot the bill."
The group called on local authorities, the Environment Agency and local police forces to commit to stronger action against the increase.
They advised extending zero tolerance approaches, ensuring powers to issue fixed penalties and investing more time in tracking down culprits.
'Simply not fair'
The CLA says farmers and landowners can go some way to preventing fly-tipped waste on their land by ensuring gates to fields are locked, opening up concealed entrances so they more visible to passersby, using CCTV in black spots and reporting all instances to the local police force.
"Our members have reported a big increase in fly-tipping on their land," said Mr Murray.
"It's not just the odd bin bag but large household items from unwanted sofas to broken washing machines, building materials and even asbestos being dumped across our countryside.
"Farmers and landowners are forced to clear up somebody else’s rubbish or they risk prosecution for illegal storage of waste. This is simply not right or fair.
"Only when people see evidence of local authorities taking stronger action to combat the scourge of fly-tipping can we hope to see a reversal in this worrying trend."
The group called on local authorities, the Environment Agency and local police forces to commit to stronger action against the increase.
