Fly-tipping is costing Kent farmers thousands in clean-up fees

Farmers in Kent and across the UK are calling for better protections against fly-tipping as the crime continues to cost the agriculture industry tens of millions of pounds each year.

The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) estimates that two-thirds of farmers are affected by illegal dumping on their land, forcing landowners to pay for the clean-up despite being the victims of the offences.

Farmer William Alexander said the issue "not only creates financial hardship but also harms the environment and disrupts farmers’ ability to operate effectively."

The NFU has outlined a series of measures they believe could alleviate the problem.

These include stronger collaboration between land managers, local authorities, police, and the Environment Agency to boost investigations and enforce proportionate fines.

They are also asking for police and councils to support landowners with clean-up efforts and simplify reporting processes for fly-tipping incidents, as victims currently have to notify multiple agencies.

The NFU aims to encourage proactive prevention tactics, such as police and DVSA stop-and-search operations targeting waste carriers to verify licenses.

Additionally, the NFU is advocating for better public awareness of household waste disposal responsibilities.

They want every householder to understand their legal obligation to ensure waste is properly disposed of, even when handing it over to third-party collectors.

Fly-tipping affects private land across the country, cutting into farmers’ resources and their ability to produce food for the nation.

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