Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 February 2006
292 Mr. Kehoe asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the position regarding farmers disposing of agricultural plastic from silage covers and so on; if there is a company to take this away; if so, the name of the company; if her Department contracted the company to dispose of same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7400/06]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe disposal of waste materials generally is covered by the Waste Management Acts 1996 to 2005, which apply to all sectors of society including the agricultural sector, and is a matter for the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government.
Under the Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001, manufacturers and importers of farm plastics — silage bale wrap and sheeting — are required to take steps to recover farm plastics waste which they have placed on the market, or alternatively to contribute to, and participate in, compliance schemes to recover the waste in question. The Irish Farm Film Producers Group, IFFPG, is currently the sole approved body in Ireland for the purposes of implementing a compliance scheme for the recovery of farm plastics waste. My Department has no involvement in the running of the scheme.
