§ Dr. MurrisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what action she is taking to reduce fly-tipping. [25356]
§ Mr. MeacherThe unlawful deposit of waste without a waste management licence or registered exemption (commonly known as fly-tipping) is a criminal offence. In the event of a conviction, severe penalties are available to the courts, including an unlimited fine or imprisonment of up to five years.
Section 59 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, provides a local authority or the Environment Agency with the power to effect the removal of fly-tipped waste and to recover costs from those responsible.
The Environment Agency continues to give the need to combat fly-tipping a high priority. The agency is currently working to establish a central unit to co-ordinate its approach to environmental crime. This unit will work with other key enforcement bodies, such as local authorities, the police and HM Customs and Excise, and will target particular environmental and economic threats such as fly-tipping.
In addition the Fly-Tipping Stakeholder's Forum, which comprises local authorities, business and landowners representatives and is chaired by the Environment Agency, meets regularly to develop practical solutions and to develop co-ordinated action to combat the problem of fly-tipping.