Written answers

Tuesday, 8 July 2008

Department of Agriculture and Food

Farm Waste Management

11:00 pm

Photo of Michael CreedMichael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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Question 598: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food the situation regarding the operation of the scheme for collection of farm plastics; the costs involved in this scheme; his views on the fact that farmers are being asked to pay at the point of collection for this service when they have previously paid a levy when they are purchasing their plastics; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27092/08]

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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The disposal of waste materials in all sectors, including agricultural, is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in the first instance.

The Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, require manufacturers and importers of farm plastics — that is, silage bale wrap and sheeting — 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. Since 1997 a silage plastic collection service has been operated by the Irish Farm Films Producers Group (IFFPG), and involves payment of a levy by producers (manufacturers and importers).

As a temporary measure in order to deal with a backlog on farms, local authorities provided designated facilities where farmers could deposit stockpiled farm plastic free of charge. I understand that these temporary facilities proved popular with farmers and that as a result, the IFFPG have now developed a calendar of some 130 collections nationwide where farmers can deposit bale wrap and silage wrap. My Department has no involvement in the running or financing of these schemes.

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