§ Viscount Goschenasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they believe that the performance of the Environment Agency has been adequate in combating fly-tipping. [HL3358]
§ Lord WhittyThe Environment Agency's performance in dealing with fly-tipping has been adequate to date, considering the resources and legislative powers that have been made available to it.
Levels of fly-tipping are however growing due to a variety of reasons. This is why the Government are considering a range of measures to help the Environment Agency and local authorities to deal more effectively with the problem. Some of these measures have been included in the Anti-social Behaviour Bill currently before Parliament. We will publish details of others which we will bring forward at the next legislative opportunity.
§ Viscount Goschenasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the ratio prosecutions to offences in connection with fly-tipping. [HL3359]
§ Lord WhittyNational data on the number of incidents of fly-tipping are not available. However, in 2002 the Environment Agency recorded 967 incidents of fly-tipping. Prosecution action was recommended in 212 of those cases. 137 formal warning letters were issued in other cases.
29WAThe Environment Agency took 99 prosecutions for fly-tipping in England and Wales in 2002, but the date the offence occurred may pre-date 2002.
More accurate data on fly-tipping incidents will be available from 2004 following the introduction of a new national enforcement database, which will record incidents and actions taken by both the Environment Agency and local authorities.