7 February 2006
NEW REGULATIONS TO STOP AGRICULTURAL WASTE
DOE is introducing new regulations in Northern Ireland for the management of agricultural waste.
The Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) is the regulatory body with the responsibility for enforcing these regulations which is currently scheduled for introduction in April. Producers of agricultural waste will have a legal duty to ensure that they do not treat, keep or dispose of agricultural waste in a manner likely to cause pollution to the environment or harm to human health.
Richard Rogers, the Chief Executive of EHS said: "The new regulations mean that burning or burying agricultural waste on farms or placing agricultural waste in the household dustbin will not be permitted.
"The operation of farm dumps, without a licence, will be illegal. For most farmers, obtaining a waste management licence is likely to be impractical and expensive, so alternative solutions to the farm dump will be required.
"The Duty of Care requires farmers to ensure that their agricultural waste is not illegally managed, that it does not escape from their control, that it is only transferred to an authorised person and that it is adequately described to enable proper handling and treatment."
NOTES TO EDITORS:
- This duty will apply following the implementation of the Waste Management Regulations (N.I.) 2006, which will make agricultural waste controlled waste.
- EHS will issue guidance notes during a 12 month transitional period, highlighting requirements for agricultural waste streams and will be available to answer queries at their stand at the Balmoral Show.
- Farmers will be permitted to store their waste on site for up to 12 months; take their waste to an appropriately licensed waste management site; transfer their waste to someone else who is legally authorised to carry waste as a registered carrier, for recovery or disposal off farm; register a licence exemption with the EHS to undertake some waste management activities on the farm; and apply for a waste management licence to undertake waste management activities on the farm. It is possible for farmers to use a combination of these options.
- Agricultural waste is any waste from agricultural premises including: packaging e.g. fertiliser bags or pesticide containers; silage plastics; net wrap; redundant machinery; batteries; waste oils; scrap metals; veterinary waste and tyres.
- Coinciding with the introduction of the regulations, further information will be made available on the EHS website at:www.ehsni.gov.uk
- Further media enquiries contact DOE Press Office on 028 9054 0003.
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