About 400,000 tonnes of farm waste is produced each year, including discarded pesticide containers, silage wraps, tyres, batteries and oil, and in some circumstances manure and slurry.
”Many farmers do manage their wastes effectively without causing pollution but there is much more that needs to done. “
– Barbara Young, Environment Agency
Defra is consulting on the draft Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2005, which will bring the agriculture sector into the same regime as the rest of industry in terms of waste disposal provisions of the Environmental Protection Act.
The measures will ban farmers from using on-farm dumps without a landfill permit and will see the open burning of plastic waste completely banned.
Announcing the consultation, environment minister Elliot Morley said: “This change is a real opportunity to develop a practical system for minimising and managing agricultural waste. For that to happen we need farmers to get involved in the consultation and let us know their views.”
Controls
The proposed controls will apply to the storage, transport, recovery and final disposal of farm waste, aiming to strengthen environmental protection while encouraging waste minimisation and recovery, Defra said.
Over 160,000 farmers, growers and their suppliers will be contacted this December to have their say in the new waste rules. The National Farmers' Union conceded that current practice in the industry was “not only bad for the environment but is also bad for farm businesses”.
NFU deputy president Peter Kendall said: “The new proposals present significant challenges for all. We will be working closely with Defra, the Environment Agency and the agricultural supply industry in the months ahead and we are determined to develop practical and cost effective solutions that will help farmers continue to concentrate on running their businesses.”
Guidance
The Environment Agency, which will enforce farm waste once the new regulations come into force in mid-2005, welcomed the proposals.
Agency chief executive Barbara Young said: “Many farmers do already minimise and manage their wastes effectively without causing pollution or harm but there is much more that needs to done. We will work with farmers and provide clear guidance to help them to meet regulatory standards.”
Up to 1 million will be available to help farmers improve their waste management from 2005-2008, under Defra's Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) programme. The funding will go to the Agricultural Stakeholders' Forum to assist farmers.
For the full consultation information on the draft Waste Management (England and Wales) Regulations 2005, see the Defra website.
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