Seymour Crawford (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Question 539: To ask the Minister for Agriculture and Food if her attention has been drawn to the difficulty that farmers are having in procuring the removal of plastic covers from their farms, which is part and parcel of the price they pay for plastic when they buy it for covering their silage; her views on whether it is acceptable that it should be left for months after a company has been advised that it is being made available for collection; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22120/05]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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The disposal of waste materials generally is covered by the Litter Pollution Act 1997, which applies to all farmers and is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government. With regard to the disposal of farm plastics, farmers must also comply with their local authority waste management plan.

The Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 1997 relate specifically to the safe disposal of silage wrap on farms. The Irish farm film producers group, IFFPG, is an approved scheme set up by the farm plastic industry to assist compliance with the regulations. The IFFPG operates a collection and disposal scheme, funded through a levy on producers. My Department has no involvement in the running of the scheme.