Bale and silage wrap must be disposed of properly


Spending review is ‘missed opportunity’


Last month’s government spending review was a missed opportunity to boost rural eco- nomic growth, says the Coun- try Land & Business Associ- ation.


Illegal farm waste seized at ports F


armers are being urged to ensure contaminated plas- tic waste is disposed of le- gally following an increase in sei- zures at shipping ports. The Environment Agency says it has intercepted numerous ille- gal shipments of waste – including silage wrap – which were destined for countries around the world. Waste cannot be exported with- out special permission.


In order to legally export con- taminated agricultural plastic waste, UK farm businesses must obtain prior consent from both the source country and its destination, alongside all countries through which it travels.


The rules cover use a wide range of plastic products, such as plastic sheeting and fi lms, as well as plastic pots and trays, and plas-


tic packaging waste such as ferti- liser bags or compost bags.


Duty of care Farmers may keep plastic waste for up to 12 months before remov- al from the farm, storing differ- ent types separately such as dirty plastic fi lms and plastic pesticide containers. NFU environment policy ad-


viser Philippa Arnold said: “We have a legal duty of care when disposing of our waste, so don’t be afraid to ask where the waste is going or ask for evidence that the waste company is authorised to store or treat it.”


Equipment - Livestock - Feed - Fertiliser - Seed - Cash Flow Diversifi cation Projects - Building - Debt Consolidation


The NFU is reminding its members to check the Environ- ment Agency website to ensure their plastic waste collector is a registered waste carrier – and


to obtain a waste transfer note with an accurate description of the waste as proof of collection.


Additional guidance Farmers should seek additional guidance on the handling, seg- regation and storage of bulky or soiled plastic wraps, sheeting and fi lms before they are removed from the farm. Doing so can im- prove collection and recycling. Options for recycling agricul- tural non-packaging plastic are more limited because they are not subject to such legislation and be- cause the plastics are diffi cult to recycle due to contamination. Improving availability of facil- ities and minimising costs for re- cycling or disposal of non-packag- ing plastics therefore needs to be addressed, says the NFU.


Much of the focus was un- derstandably on fi ghting the fallout from coronavirus. But CLA president Mark Bridge- man said the government did little to show that “building back better” will apply to the rural economy. “Rural productivity is 16% below the national average,” he said: “If government takes steps to close that productivi- ty gap, then £43bn will be un- locked into the economy, cre- ating jobs and strengthening communities.”


Equipment - Livestock - Feed - Fertiliser - Seed - Cash Flow Diversifi cation Projects - Building - Debt Consolidation


Mark Bridgeman: more needed


Equipment - Livestock - Feed - Fertiliser - Seed - Cash Flow Diversifi cation Projects - Building - Debt Consolidation


Equipment - Livestock - Feed - Fertiliser - Seed - Cash Flow Diversification Projects - Building - Debt Consolidation


Equipment - Livestock - Feed - Fertiliser - Seed - Cash Flow Diversifi cation Projects - Building - Debt Consolidation


• Finance from £10k to £5m • Excellent rates • 6 month to 10 year terms • Tax efficient • Simple, quick phone application


• Decision within 24 hours • Bad credit history, large debts – no problem!


• High street banks unsupportive


• Tenant farmers welcome We bring the personal touch back into farm finance.


For the personal touch ring Dean Pollen on 07769 705004 dean.pollen@abfltd.co.uk


DECEMBER 2020 • MIDLAND FARMER 7


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40