Máirín Quill
Question:10 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on whether there is an urgent need for clear guidelines on the disposal of the various types of plastics used on farms. [16332/95]
Ceisteanna—Questions. - Disposal of Plastics.
Máirín Quill
Question:31 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Forestry his views on whether there is an urgent need for clear guidelines on the disposal of the various types of plastics used on farms; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16326/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 31 together. In relation to the disposal of the various types of plastics used on farms my Department's role is confined to encouraging good environmentally friendly farming practices. My officials advise farmers to collect and store all plastic on the farm and reuse as much of it as possible. Some plastic, such as the plastic film used to bale silage, cannot be reused and should be disposed of in approved landfill sites. In this regard, participants in the rural environment protection scheme operated by my Department are required to dispose of all unusable plastic in this manner.
My Department is currently preparing a set of guidelines for the control of farm pollution generally. The disposal of plastics will be considered in this context.
A company in Monaghan recycles clean plastic from supermarkets and so on. Heavy grade agricultural plastic requires cleaning. If the company was grant-aided it could wash the plastic and this would help reduce the amount left on roadsides and so on.
Will the Minister consider educating farmers on the damage to the environment by heavy black plastic used to cover silage and bales?
My Department's inspectorate is currently working on the preparation of "a code of good agricultural practice" in the area of farm pollution generally. This is at an advanced stage and will deal with the disposal of plastic. I will vigorously promote the code. Under the STRIDE operational programme a study was carried out into the feasibility of recycling plastic sheeting used in the agricultural sector. It established that the heavy contamination of such material when used in agriculture mitigates against successful recycling. The study concluded that under current economic conditions recycling polythene film is not economically viable. The Minister of State, Deputy Deenihan, recently met personnel in a company and I am sure he will meet any company from the Deputy's constituency. We will consider all possibilities for recycling but the contamination problem must be resolved first.
Will the Minister consider educating farmers on how to dispose of it?
That will form part of the code of good practice.
The Minister will do anything except give grants.