The Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) has called on local authorities to address the annual increase in littering of the countryside in the aftermath of Christmas.
The group’s Environment Chairman, Thomas Cooney, has called for new plans to tackle the reckless dumping of cans, bottles, used wrapping paper and even the leftovers of Christmas dinners.
“Recent reports indicate that packaging waste generated from online shopping will increase by 33% this year to 10,000 tonnes,” Cooney said.
“The fact is that this will lead to increased dumping by passing motorists who have no regard for our rural countryside. And it’s time to get tough with these people.”
Reckless Dumping
The farmer representative group is looking for more severe sanctions on ‘serial dumpers’ and changes to the legislation so that farmers are no longer held legally responsible for reckless dumping by others.
“The on the spot fines for littering introduced this year have not worked. We need increased enforcement action by local authorities, as well as tougher sentences and penalties for large-scale serial dumpers,” Cooney added.
The IFA recently called for changes to existing litter legislation in a meeting with Environment Minister for State Seán Canney, by removing the current threat of fines and prosecution of farmers on whose land others irresponsibly dump their litter.
© 2019 Checkout – your source for the latest Irish retail news. Article by Aidan O’Sullivan. Click subscribe to sign up for the Checkout print edition.
