Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss Collection and Recycling of Farm Plastics with Minister of State Ossian Smyth

Ahead of the meeting at 5:30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “Farm plastics recycling in Ireland is governed by EU and national legislation and the Committee welcomes this engagement with Minister of State Ossian Smyth.  

“The Irish Farm Film Producers Group is the national, not-for-profit, recycling compliance scheme which aims to protect Ireland’s rural environment and the Committee has previously discussed the operation of the scheme with IFFPG representatives and officials from the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC).

“Among the issues the Committee wishes to discuss with the Minister and his officials are the recycling levy which is charged to farmers and others at the point of purchase and the levy which is charged at the point of collection, which provide the funding for IFFPG to cater for all of Ireland’s farm waste plastic recycling.

“Members have previously heard of concerns around reports of a significant tonnage of plastic in collectors’ yards around the country, even though the purchase levy and collection levy have been paid on this. The Committee looks forward to a wide-ranging discussion with Minister Smyth on these and related matters.”

The Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine has 14 Members, nine from the Dáil and five from the Seanad.

The meeting in Committee Room 3 can be viewed live on Oireachtas TV.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.