NFU Cymru has welcomed the commitment from Welsh Government to tackle the issue of fly-tipping in its draft Strategy ‘A Fly-tipping Free Wales’.

In its response to the recent consultation, the Union has called for there to be a statutory duty placed on local authorities to investigate fly-tipping incidents on both public and private land so that the true extent of the problem can be understood.

NFU Cymru’s Rural Affairs Board Chairman, Bernard Llewellyn, said, “Fly-tipping is an issue that impacts on the lives and businesses of many farmers in Wales and we believe it is wholly unfair that farmers have to clear up the mess and pick up the bill for waste illegally dumped on their land.

“The current rate of prosecution is abysmally low for this offence and until there is a statutory duty placed on local authorities to investigate fly-tipping and higher rates of prosecution are achieved then, we believe, there will be no deterrent to prevent others taking similar action.”

As well as calls for stronger action to be taken against those found fly-tipping, NFU Cymru has also asked for more practical actions within the strategy to support the farming industry to cope with fly-tipping including an improved system for reporting and monitoring; removal of the requirement for farmers to register with NRW as a Waste Carrier to dispose of fly-tipped waste; together with support to help farmers dispose of fly-tipped waste safely and at no cost to their business.