Cow legally approved to clear people’s rubbish as CLA exposes license scandal

• “Beau Vine” – a Charolais-Cross cow in Wiltshire – was approved for upper tier waste carrier license in under three seconds, with no checks or questions asked
• As fly-tipping soars, CLA warns criminals are exploiting system to appear legitimate before dumping people’s waste
• CLA calls for stronger background checks and verification to stop countryside being buried under waste.

A cow named “Beau Vine” has been legally approved to dispose of people’s rubbish, in a license scandal exposed by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA).

Fly-tipping in the countryside has reached record highs. Criminal gangs are now milking the system, using permits to appear legitimate before illegally dumping people’s waste.

To test the system, the CLA applied for an upper tier waste carrier and dealer license in Beau’s name, only to be approved in under three seconds, no checks or questions asked.

And it wasn’t a fluke. A second application under the name ‘Lawrie Load’ was also rubber-stamped by government, raising further concerns that even the most basic checks are missing.

Under the current system, all that is needed to apply is a name, address, email contact and a small fee, with no verifications, driving license details, or photos needed.

It highlights the need for greater checks on those who want to carry waste for others.

Ann Maidment, Director of CLA South West and owner of Beau Vine said:

“Beau Vine excels at eating grass, lounging in the sun and a leisurely moo. Waste management, however, remains stubbornly beyond his remit.”

“That he should be approved for a license in under three seconds reveals something alarming: not even the most basic background checks are being done. And it raises a worrying question: if a cow can get a license, who is the government actually turning away?

“Criminals know this. They exploit these licenses to appear legitimate, then go on to fly-tip tonnes of waste, some of it hazardous, endangering the livelihoods of rural communities.

“A system that approves applicants instantly and without scrutiny is not regulating waste. It is smoothing the path to dump it. Government must introduce proper checks, verification, and standards to stop rubber-stamping fly-tippers and start protecting the communities they harm.”

The results come as countryside communities continue to suffer from regular fly-tipping. A CLA survey found almost three quarters of farmers are affected each year, with some targeted multiple times each month.

Each incident costs on average £1,000 to clear up, with 85% saying they have invested in measures such as CCTV, lighting and other security.