Kent Farmer Stops Clearing Illegally Dumped Waste Due to Costs

A farmer in Kent has announced he will no longer remove refuse illegally deposited on his property, citing significant personal expenses. Josiah Jones, from Vigo, whose farmland has experienced five incidents of fly-tipping this year, received an estimate of £3,000 for the removal of the largest accumulation. “We’re not talking about car loads, we’re talking about lorry loads often,” he stated. Shane Mochrie-Cox, the cabinet member for strategic environment at Gravesham Borough Council, clarified that the council’s authority extends only to clearing public land and does not encompass the removal of waste from private property. Mr. Jones reported that the discarded material frequently obstructs gateways and access points on his land, and has previously caused damage to fences and gates. “I’ve given up. And that’s not a good place to be where you have given up trying to do the right thing,” he commented. He added, “Last time I had fly-tipping and I got a quote to remove it, it was £3,000. I haven’t got £3,000, so it stayed there, which is not very pleasant.” The third-generation farmer further mentioned a lack of success in obtaining assistance from the council for clearing the refuse or for prosecuting the individuals responsible. Mr. Mochrie-Cox commented that the existing legislation concerning fly-tipping is outdated. He remarked, “A £1,000 fine, while that may have been appropriate when it was set up, isn’t appropriate now and isn’t a disincentive.” Data from the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) indicates that fly-tipping incidents in Kent and Medway rose by 10% to exceed 27,000 cases in 2023. The Countryside Alliance (CA), an organization dedicated to advancing issues pertinent to farming and rural services, characterized fly-tipping as an entry-level offense for criminals and gangs. Sarah Lee, representing the CA, stated that the organization aims to inform the public about their duty of care when arranging for others to collect their waste. She explained, “If you are paying them to take your waste away, they are the carrier and yet you are liable for that waste.” Ms. Lee further cautioned, “So if your waste is fly-tipped illegally and it has your name and address on anything, you could be prosecuted as you have failed to dispose of your waste legally.” Gravesham Borough Council has been contacted for additional commentary. Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Story ideas can be sent to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 08081 002250. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.