Vol. 545 No. 1
249 Mr. McGuinness asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the assistance he will give to promote the collection of plastic waste from farms; if he has had a submission from a company (details supplied); and if their suggestions are worthwhile pursuing. [29622/01]
In accordance with the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations, 2001, which replaced earlier 1997 regulations, manufacturers, importers and suppliers of farm plastics are obliged to take steps to recover farm plastics, either through compliance with the regulations directly or by participating in an approved compliance scheme. The Irish farm film producers group, IFFPG, was established in 1997 as an approved industry-led farm film collection and recovery scheme, and includes the company referred to in the Question as a member. The scheme has been an acknowledged success since its commencement and resulted in the collection of an estimated 6,000 tonnes of waste farm plastic for recycling in 2000, representing approximately 40% of the farm plastic placed on the market last year.
The company referred to has not made any direct submission to my Department regarding the collection of waste farm plastic. However, it has been represented at recent discussions hosted by my Department in relation to the revised corporate governance of the IFFPG.
