Given the choice farmers would prefer to recycle their waste, says national farm waste recycling business Agri.cycle. However, the company which has been canvassing opinions from the farming community throughout 2006, has identified one overriding barrier. Recycling is expensive when compared to landfill and many farmers feel they have no other choice that to go down the cheaper landfill route.
"During the past year at major events like Cereals and Tillage as well as at numerous farmer meetings we've quizzed farmers about the merits of a system of green credits for those who recycle agricultural waste," explains Agri.cylce's David Kent. "We have asked farmers to sign our petition if they support the idea that responsible growers who recycle waste should be able to earn points under the Entry Level Scheme (ELS). To date over 400 farmers have signed up," he says.
Robert Moore of Agri.cycle adds, "In discussion with our hub operators and leading farmers and growers we have come to realise that the majority of producers understand the environmental benefits of avoiding landfill and would much prefer to recycle if possible."
Agri.cycle is therefore advocating the introduction of a Waste Management Plan to run alongside the existing Plans on Soil Management, Crop Protection, Nutrient Management and Manure Management under the ELS scheme.
The plan would encompass: waste minimisation, safe storage, disposal, audit of disposal, method/destination etc, proof of recycling if needed and documentation including Waste Transfer Notes, exemptions and so on. The standard Waste Management Plan would be worth 1 point per hectare and for waste which was recycled in the UK a further point per hectare would be available.
"Two ELS points are worth £2.00 per ha which would reward farmers and growers for taking the right option environmentally," adds Mr Moore
Mr Kent continues, "Any initiative that reduces the cost to growers and diverts waste from landfill or export (some of which is being done illegally), must be the right approach. The
industry has spent a fortune on the VI to reduce the likelihood of a pesticide tax and yet nobody appears to be addressing the issue of empty pesticide containers. These are potentially ending up in a landfill site when they could, indeed should, be recycled."