'Big Spring Clean' organised to help tidy up the countryside

A rural spring clean has been organised to help clean up what has been described as the "scourge" of the countryside, flytipping waste and litter.

The Countryside Alliance is spearheading the initiative the 'Big Spring Clean', and will be working across the country to clean up rural areas over the weekend of 2nd and 3rd June.

It will take place over the two days, and rural communities are encouraged to help keep the countryside litter-free.

Polly Portwin, Head of Hunting at the Countryside Alliance’s, commented: “We are encouraging those taking part to enlist the help of others in their local areas to show the true spirit of the countryside.

“Not only is discarded rubbish an eyesore, but it is potentially hazardous to farmed livestock, wild animals and domestic pets.”

Just last week the Environment Minister, Dr Therese Coffey MP, announced that the Government will review sentencing for those found guilty of tipping waste.

The debate was led by Neil Parish MP, Chair of the Commons Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Select Committee.

He reminded the 25 MPs present that “fly tipping is not a victimless crime” and said that “the onus should not be on landowners and farmers” who are innocent and yet face a legal obligation to deal with waste on private land.

'Socially unacceptable'

The Countryside Alliance said if stronger action is not taken then rural areas may continue to see fly-tipping increasing every year to an "unacceptable level".

Ms Portwin continued: “It is believed that those who drop litter from their vehicles or while out walking and cycling through our wonderful countryside and on rural roads do so because they are unlikely to be observed carrying out such socially unacceptable behaviour.

“We are highlighting the increasing problem that littering has become and are urging those who visit and live in rural areas to respect the countryside by taking their litter home with them.”

Last year there were 1 million incidents of fly-tipping in England, the equivalent of nearly 114 every hour, and at a cost to local authorities of £58 million.

This represents a 7% increase from the previous year and the fourth year in a row that fly-tipping has increased.

NFU President Minette Batters has previously said fly-tipping has become the "scourge of the countryside."