Land owners need government help to meet £50 million a year bill to clean up fly-tipping

The Country Land and Business Association (CLA) is calling for increased Government aid to tackle the growing problem of illegal fly-tipping after it was revealed that landowners are footing a staggering £50 million a year clear-up bill.

According to Government minister, Ben Bradshaw MP the real cost of clearing illegally dumped waste last year would have soared from the Government's reported £50 million to over £100 million if the costs of clearing fly-tipping on private land were including.

Responding to a parliamentary question on the issue from Liberal Democrat MP, Andrew Stunnell, Mr Bradshaw wrote: "For the period between April 2005 and March 2006, the cost (of clearing illegally dumped waste) was almost £50 million. However, it is estimated that the costs of clearing fly-tipping on private land could increase the 2005-2006 clearance costs to over £100 million."

Now, with the introduction of a new 'bin tax' looming under controversial local government proposals the CLA is concerned that cash strapped home-owners will be tempted to illegally dump more waste than ever.

"If home-owners are subjected to a new waste disposal 'charging regime' as recommended by Sir Michael Lyons in his report this week, there is a real risk that fly-tipping on roadsides and privately owned fields will become even more of a problem for local authorities and landowners," said CLA conservation adviser, Ben Underwood.

"The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act contains several measures that are designed to enhance the powers and capability of local authorities to tackle fly-tipping but it gives little aid to private landowners.

"Convicting offenders is something that can rarely be achieved by landowners due to resource and time constraints and there is still little evidence of local authorities working with our members to help clear up fly-tipping and convict offenders."

And according to Ben, the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act has, if anything, worsened the problem for landowners. He added: "The new measures have led local authorities to concentrate their investigative resources on their land as opposed to privately owned rural land, leaving it an increasingly attractive and safe proposition for waste dumping."