Written answers

Wednesday, 31 January 2007

Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government

Environmental Policy

8:00 am

Photo of Denis NaughtenDenis Naughten (Longford-Roscommon, Fine Gael)
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Question 1818: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the plans he has to introduce legislation on the compulsory labelling of farm plastic indicating that the recycling levy has been paid by the manufacturer; when such legislation will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1168/07]

Photo of Dick RocheDick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, producers — i.e. manufacturers and importers — of farm plastics (silage bale wrap and sheeting) are required to take steps to recover farm plastics waste which they have 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 currently the sole approved body in Ireland for the purposes of implementing a compliance scheme for the recovery of farm plastics waste. IFFPG has now launched a new labelling system for farm plastics placed on the market by its members to support compliance with the requirements of the scheme and to reduce scope for unfair competition from 'free riders' in the market. Compliance with the labelling system is now a compulsory condition of membership of the approved scheme.

The labelling of levied farm plastic is part of a package of measures agreed in May 2006 between my Department and the IFFPG to ensure improved farm plastics collection services for farmers. Under the new arrangements, the scheme is funded by a combination of the levies paid by the producer members of IFFPG who run the scheme and funding from weight based collection charges paid by farmers availing of the service. This is improving the operational efficiency of the scheme by incentivising the presentation of clean, dry plastic by farmers. In addition, to address the issue of accumulated backlogs of farm plastic, designated facilities are being provided on a temporary, once-off basis by local authorities where farmers may deposit stockpiled farm plastic.

The final element in the agreed package of measures is the implementation of new systems by IFFPG to improve traceability of levied farm plastic. I have taken a personal interest in the development of the IFFPG scheme. It is ambitious and seems to be well designed. I believe the new arrangements being put in place carry a sufficient incentive for compliance on the part of producers and, while the operation of the scheme is kept under continuous review, there are no further legislative proposals at this stage.

The level of recycling of farm plastic is very impressive. As the Deputy will be aware, I introduced a system to provide further support for the collection of farm plastics last year. This has further boosted the collection of plastic waste in Ireland.

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