The Countryside Alliance has called for local authorities to make waste disposal easier as the latest Defra figures on fly-tipping figures show a 4% rise in incidents. These figures do not accurately reflect the growing problem of fly-tipping on private land as they are not recorded.
Farmers and landowners have to bear the brunt of fly-tipping which occurs on private land, often leaving them significantly out of pocket and with environmental damage they must put right.
The Countryside Alliance believes we must make it easier for people to dispose of their waste legally as the figures show that over two thirds of fly-tips involve household waste. In addition to making waste disposal easier for householders, local authorities must also take strong action against those involved in organised crime and continually break the law and fly-tip.
Countryside Alliance Head of Policy, Sarah Lee, says "Local authorities must work harder to fight this blight. The statistics show that instances of fly-tipping rise every year and this is unacceptable. Fly-tipping is not a victimless crime, and the cost of clear-up, as well as the knock-on effects to the environment, should not have to be borne farmers and landowners."
"Farmers and landowners must report any suspicious activity and put in place prevention measures to make it more difficult for people to fly-tip on their land. But this must be backed up by local authorities using the full force of the law against those who fly-tip."