Welsh government makes fly-tipping pledge

The Welsh government is aiming to eradicate fly-tipping which it has detailed in a new document.

Following the Fly-tipping Action Wales partnership document 'Pride in our Communities' which ended last year, the new consultation identifies five outcomes which give direction to counter future fly-tipping across Wales including, partnership, understanding the scale, improved education, appropriate waste provision and an intelligence led approach.

Over the years the NFU has lobbied endlessly on fly-tipping, arguing that Welsh farmers rightly feel that they are victims of fly-tipping which costs them both time and money.

Bernard Llewellyn, NFU Cymru’s Rural Affairs Board Chairman said, "The sad reality is that too many Welsh farmers have been directly affected by the deluge of fly-tipping by unscrupulous individuals, however it is extremely heartening to learn that Welsh Government is recognising this as a problem they want to tackle."

In its written response NFU Cymru highlighted that Welsh Government needs a shared vision with industry and proposed simple solutions to reduce the burden on farmers and private landowners to help them deal with fly-tipping.

NFU Cymru has asked the Government to limit the regulatory and financial burden on the landowner and regulator by removing the need to register as waste carriers or generate Waste Transfer Notes.

The Union has also requested for a simple standard e-reporting portal, similar to that of the Fly-Capture database to encourage more farmers to report of fly-tipping so that Government get to see the real picture of how serious this problem is.

Bernard Llewellyn ended, "NFU Cymru welcomes this framework strategy and ambitious vision. Now we would like to see it move forward with decisive action throughout the whole of Wales. Remembering farmers and landowners are willing to be part of the solution but not the solution."