Support for beefing up penalties for fly-tipping in Scotland
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston has backed Scottish Conservatives plans to introduce a Bill in the Scottish Parliament to tackle fly-tipping.
The MSP, who has raised fly-tipping issues locally with Highland Council and the police, welcomed the timely proposals which would increase fines for offenders and ensure clear liability for dumping waste illegally.
A Member’s Bill, brought forward by fellow Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser, will be introduced following a consultation, after engagement with a variety of rural organisations.
Mr Halcro Johnston said: “We have seen thousands of instances of fly-tipping across the Highlands and Islands, a problem which is only growing.
“What I’ve heard time and again is that public bodies often don’t have the powers to tackle the worst offenders – or, even when they’re caught red handed, fines can be derisory in comparison with the costs of their behaviour.
“More often than not, the costs of clearing up fall to landowners.
“Fly-tipping is not just antisocial, but can have a long-term impact on our natural environment.
"It’s time we beefed up penalties and enforcement and sent out a clear message that dumping waste illegally will no longer be tolerated.
Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) Chief Executive, Sarah-Jane Laing, said: “Scotland needs to end the scourge of fly-tipping.
"Better reporting channels, correlation of national reporting, stronger penalties and shifting liability from the affected landowners to the source of the waste are all crucial to effectively tackling fly-tipping.
“We welcome Mr Fraser’s intention to introduce a Members’ Bill as it is clear current sanctions are not acting as a deterrent and need strengthened.”
NFU Scotland President Martin Kennedy said: “Fly-tipping is a permanent scar on our natural environment. Despite recycling centres re-opening, fly-tipping and illegal dumping incidents are still being recorded daily by NFU Scotland members and are a continuous blight on rural Scotland.
“Cases in the past year alone have included rotting meat, hazardous asbestos waste, domestic appliances, household waste, builder’s rubble, garden cuttings, pallets, and garage waste, including tyres and car batteries.
"Farmers are most often left to foot the bill for disposal - that is fundamentally unfair and must change.”
