Denis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 666: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 524 of 11 October 2005, the discussions held with IFFPG and the conclusions and recommendations on the scheme; the steps he will take to address the problem of plastic being imported from the UK and Northern Ireland without the payment of such a levy; the percentage of farm plastic collected in 2005; the tonnage it is envisaged the IFFPG will collect in 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6561/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, producers, namely manufacturers and importers, of farm plastics such as silage bale wrap and sheeting are required to take steps to recover farm plastics waste which they placed on the market or alternatively to contribute to, and participate in, compliance schemes to recover the waste in question. The Irish farm film producers group, IFFPG, is the sole approved body in Ireland for the purposes of implementing a compliance scheme for the recovery of farm plastics waste.

Under the IFFPG scheme, producers apply a levy on the sale of farm plastics that, in turn, is transferred to the IFFPG for use in funding the collection and recovery of farm plastics waste. The IFFPG is a not for profit organisation and it is a matter for the company, under the terms of this producer responsibility initiative and in accordance with the polluter pays principle, to set a rate of levy which will cover its operational costs. The detailed information sought on the company's operations is a matter for the company and is not available in my Department.

The scheme has operated successfully to date. It is estimated that approximately 8,500 tonnes, amounting to 55% of farm plastics placed on the market in 2004, were collected for recycling. An estimated 55,000 farmers availed of the collection service in 2004. The IFFPG estimates that more than 12,500 tonnes of farm plastics were collected in 2005.

While responsibility for the collection and recovery of farm plastics rests with the compliance scheme, my Department monitors the scheme on an ongoing basis. I am aware of the specific issues raised and I am anxious to preserve and continue the success of the farm plastic scheme. Discussions are taking place involving my Department and IFFPG to explore options for improvement to the scheme and resolution of outstanding issues.