Crackdown on waste crime announced, but glaring injustice for farmers remain
Andy Burnham pledges action on organised waste gangs
The CLA has welcomed the Prime Minister's pledge to tackle organised waste gangs, but warned real action must now be seen on the ground.
Better use of drones, a bigger role for the police and the National Crime Agency, more Environment Agency officers on the frontline, and a rise in fines will deter, catch, and punish those who dump illegally, the government has claimed.
Fines for waste offences are set to rise from £300 to £5,000, and the government is to fund the clean-up of three more of the country's most serious illegal waste sites.
'Heard promises before'
Gavin Lane, CLA President, said:
"We have argued for years that organised waste gangs should be treated like organised criminals, so stronger police involvement, better intelligence sharing and seizing the vehicles and assets they rely on are all steps in the right direction.
“But our members have heard promises of crackdowns before, and fines and new powers will only deter criminals if they believe they will actually be caught. We will judge this by what happens on the ground, from prosecutions to vehicle seizures and the confiscation of criminal assets.
“There is still a glaring injustice for farmers who can wake up to a lorry-load of waste dumped on their land and then be left paying to clear up somebody else’s crime. Innocent landowners should not be left carrying that cost.”
Three more sites have been identified for clearance, subject to feasibility assessments:
- Power Station Road, Isle of Sheppey, Kent
- Aymer Close, Runnymede, Surrey
- Midland Road, Bradford, West Yorkshire.