Farmer stops removing fly-tipping waste over costs

A Kent farmer says he has given up removing rubbish dumped on his land due to high personal costs.

Josiah Jones, from Vigo, who has had five incidents of fly-tipping on his farmland this year, has been quoted £3,000 for the removal of the largest load.

"We're not talking about car loads, we're talking about lorry loads often," he said.

Shane Mochrie-Cox, cabinet member for strategic environment at Gravesham Borough Council, said the council only had powers to clear public land, and was not responsible for clearing private land.

Mr Jones said rubbish often blocked gateways and access points on his land, and had previously damaged fences and gates.

"I've given up. And that's not a good place to be where you have given up trying to do the right thing," he said.

"Last time I had fly-tipping and I got a quote to remove it, it was £3,000. I haven't got £3,000, so it stayed there, which is not very pleasant."

The third-generation farmer added he had not had any success with the council in helping clear the rubbish or in prosecuting those responsible.

Mr Mochrie-Cox said the current fly-tipping legislation was outdated.

"A £1,000 fine, while that may have been appropriate when it was set up, isn't appropriate now and isn't a disincentive," he said.

Fly-tipping cases have increased by 10% across Kent and Medway to more than 27,000 in 2023, figures from Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) show.

The Countryside Alliance (CA), which aims to promote issues relating to farming and rural services, said fly-tipping was an entry-level crime for criminals and gangs.

Sarah Lee, of the CA, said the organisation wanted to educate the public about their duty of care when allowing others to collect their waste.

"If you are paying them to take your waste away, they are the carrier and yet you are liable for that waste," she said.

"So if your waste is fly-tipped illegally and it has your name and address on anything, you could be prosecuted as you have failed to dispose of your waste legally."

Gravesham Borough Council has been approached for further comment.

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