Warning to farmers as waste is dumped

It comes after West Lindsey District Council cleared 6.5 tonnes of rubbish from land at Swallow on the A46 - and the Environment Agency uncovering large-scale illegal tipping of waste in Brigg in 2015.

The warning comes from the CLA - the organisation for rural land owners - with the firm’s East regional director Ben Underwood saying it was a “serious issue”.

Mr Underwood said: “Waste regularly blights the countryside, whether it’s fly-tipping or organised, large-scale waste crime.

“This is a serious issue for rural landowners.

“On average it costs £800 to clear up each incidence of non-toxic fly-tipped waste on private land, and it costs the rural business sector up to £150 million in clean up costs every year.

“In a time of financial uncertainty, this additional stress and expense is the last thing farmers need.”

Mr Underwood said organised groups were making concerted efforts to target landowners and farmers across the CLA’s eastern region, especially those with land in extremely isolated areas.

He said: “If you have land well away from public highways, be extremely wary of people approaching you to store huge quantities of waste – often plastics and wood – on a temporary basis.

“Very often, these people are fronting what seem to be legitimate and slick operations, with what appears to be relevant permits.

“They offer cash to store the waste, but, once the site is full, they leave landowners with a rather large pile of waste – for which they believed there was a licence – to dispose of at their own expense.

“Clearances are extremely costly operations and could lead to a rural business collapsing as a result.

“It is in the best interests of landowners, farmers, rural businesses and communities, and the environment, that those poisoning the countryside are brought to book as soon as possible.”

Fly tipping can be reported to West Lindsey District Council by calling 01427 676676.

Or you can email [email protected].