THE SCOTTISH countryside has seen a surge in fly-tipping since the beginning of the coronavirus outbreak, adding extra stress to Scotland’s farmers.

The temporary closure of local waste sites and collection services by local authorities during the lockdown has led to a spike in the number of individuals travelling to the countryside to dispose of their rubbish.

One soft fruit farmer in Blairgowrie has been hit hard by offenders dumping waste in fields adjacent to his fruit crops. From fridge freezers to dirty nappies, Peter Thomson has had two loads of mixed waste dumped over the past two weekends and the quantity of rubbish dumped suggests that a flatbed lorry or tipper van were used.

“I have tried to report the recent incidents to the local authority, but the council isn’t answering the phones at this time,” he said. “Our local SEPA office is interested in pursuing the case. In both incidents, we have found envelopes with names and addresses so there is the potential to investigate further and prosecute. That kind of action needs to be taken or cases like this will just continue to happen with farmers bearing the brunt of time and cost in dealing with them."

With his local council waste site closed down due to coronavirus, Mr Thomson is considering having to hire and pay for a skip to be delivered to the farm to house the rubbish.

This surge in fly-tipping has prompted a joint statement from NFU Scotland, Scottish Land & Estates, Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Zero Waste Scotland, pleading with the public to rethink dumping their waste during the pandemic.

The statement included: “At a time when farmers are working around the clock to provide food for the nation and trying to keep their businesses running despite being short staffed, it is heart breaking to see their land being used as a giant tip.

“We are pleading with people not to be selfish. Now is not the time to try and get rid of items following a spring clean or DIY project, we are urging you to keep them at home until recycling centres re-open and charities begin to collect furniture and clothing again.

“Fly-tipping is illegal, ugly and dangerous," the statement continued. "It can be harmful to lambs, calves and other animals and wildlife too. But for farmers and other landowners, it is also costly to clean up. Dealing with litter and fly-tipping costs an eye watering £53 million of public money in Scotland every year, and that’s only in relation to public land.

“As rural and environmental organisations, we are working together to stop fly-tipping – but we can only do it with the public’s support.”

NFU Scotland Policy Advisor Zoe Meldrum added: “No consideration is given to the health and safety of those left to clear up this mess or what they may be exposed to when that waste could be contaminated or of chemical, surgical or industrial origin.

“Farmers are not waste disposers and shouldn’t have to expose themselves to these health risks, bear the cost of clearance or have the stress and worry about people damaging their land, property or livestock.”

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