WASTE - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

 

 

As all farmers should now be aware, the Agricultural Waste regulations came into force in May of this year.  Since this date, the burying and burning of farm waste has been prevented. Exemptions can be registered for the beneficial use of waste and these need to be in place by 15 May 2007.


Farmers now have had a duty of care placed upon them to make sure that waste that can’t be reused or recycled is disposed of properly. The most common forms of disposal available is taking the waste to a licensed centre or having the waste collected. In both case a duty of care is placed on the producers of waster to:

  • Make sure the waste kept dry and secure for up to 12 months.
  • Make sure when the waste is passed on to someone else, they are authorised to take it.
  • If you are unsure, you can contact the Environment Agency on 0845 603 3113 to confirm they are registered.

 

The movement of waste off the holding requires the completion of a waste transfer note. This form provides details of the type and quantity of waste. The waste transfer note needs to be signed by the producer and also the recipient of the waste and copies of this should be kept for a minimum of 2 years.  Guidance on completing this form is available on the Environment Agency website.

The introduction of the Agricultural Waste Regulations has also seen an amendment to the rules on dealing with hazardous waste.  The Environment Agency defines hazardous waste to include asbestos, oils, lead acid batteries, antifreeze, fluorescent light tubes and agrochemical concentrates – items common on most farms. Farmers are exempt from registering as hazardous waste producers until 15 May 2007. However, until this date they should still be aware of their duty of care when transporting these wastes off farm. After 15 May 2007, registering as a hazardous waste producer incurs an £18 fee for an online application or £28 for a paper application.


With the recent turn to colder weather, farmers are now beginning to use winter feed stocks which inevitable leads to greater quantities of waste silage wrap produced. Planning decisions on the storage of this waste should be made sooner rather than later because the plastic wrap does have a tendency to build up quickly. Most waste handlers won’t accept wrap that is wet and covered in mud. Waste in this condition is also heavier and therefore more costly to dispose of.


For further information on the Agricultural Waste Regulations including details of local waste handlers, contact Stuart Milsom on 01285 648107.


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For clear, objective and professional advice on these or any other agricultural and rural estate issues please contact one of our Agricultural Team:


Robert Young ~ Mark Hill ~ Christopher Graham ~ Paul Oughton ~ Brian Smith
Peter Kirby ~ Stuart Milsom ~ Margaret Bush

Tel. 01285 648 113                                                             Fax. 01285 640 494    

This newsletter is produced for guidance only and should not be used as a substitute for professional advice. Accordingly no liability or responsibility for any loss or damage can be accepted by Moore Allen & Innocent or other contributors as a result of any person, company or other organisation acting or refraining from acting upon comment on this newsletter.

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