Press Release: Farmers daughter leads new fly-tipping campaign for CPRE

Farmer's daughter leads new fly-tipping campaign for CPRE

Rhiannon Fisher, a BA (Hons) student in Heritage Management at the University of Winchester, is nearing the end of a six-month work placement with the Hampshire Branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England in Winchester. For her project, Rhiannon has taken the lead on a new campaign against fly-tipping that aims to help farmers and land-managers deal with the problem cheaply and easily, as well as raising awareness of the public's legal responsibilities.

Rhiannon's work has involved a high degree of research, discussions with the Environment Agency and DEFRA, speaking to local farmers, the National Farmer's Union and Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group, to prepare an in-depth report that will enable CPRE to carry forward the campaign in Hampshire. A colourful, quick reference leaflet has also been written for farmers and land managers, that is undergoing final peer-review before publication later this month.

Rhiannon said:

"Fly-tipping is polluting our beautiful countryside, threatening our wildlife and costing millions each year. It's estimated that there are two fly-tipping incidents a minute in Hampshire, costing local authorities £100 per minute in clearing costs. Since these statistics only include fly-tipping on public land, the situation is far worse than even these dreadful figures suggest."

The Government's 'Duty of Care' regulations state that people must ensure that their rubbish is removed and disposed of legally by a licensed carrier, or they face fines up to £5,000. If the rubbish is fly-tipped by a builder or gardener, it is still the owner who may be held responsible.

To check if a carrier is registered, contact the Environment Agency on 08708 506506 and ask for a 'Waste Carrier Validation Check', or reference the online database at http://www2.environment-agency.gov.uk/epr/. If you witness fly-tipping, please give a detailed report to the Environment Agency via its 24 hour hotline 0800 807060.

For local residents, there is a waste dump site at Aldershot in North Lane (GU12 4UA). Tel. 01252 315312.

Asbestos waste is hazardous and needs to be disposed of separately. Four household waste recycling centres in Hampshire will accept cement-bonded asbestos - Andover, Basingstoke, Efford (near Lymington) and Netley. Fibrous (unbonded) asbestos needs to be handled by licensed specialist contractors.

For a full list and contact details for dump sites in Hampshire visit www.cprehampshire.org.uk. For further information please telephone 01962 843655 or email admin@cprehampshire.org.uk.

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CPRE/H/100

Notes to editors

The Campaign to Protect Rural England, Hampshire Branch (CPRE Hampshire) is a registered charity and a branch of the national CPRE charity.

CPRE Hampshire strives to promote the beauty, tranquility and diversity of the countryside of Hampshire by the sustainable use of land and other resources in town and country, and encouraging the biodiversity and well-being of rural communities.

For membership information on CPRE, please contact:
Pam Mason, administrator, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01962 843655
Email:admin@cprehampshire.org.uk

For all media enquiries, please contact:
Keren Burney, media & communications officer, CPRE Hampshire
Tel: 01730 894123 Mobile: 07876 780065
Email: kburney000@aol.com