Joint Committee on Agriculture, Food and the Marine to discuss collection and recycling of farm plastics

The meeting at 5.30pm in Committee Room 3 of Leinster House will hear from representatives of the Irish Farm Film Producers Group CLG (IFFPG) and officials from the Environment, Climate and Communications.

Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jackie Cahill said: “Farm plastics recycling in Ireland is governed by EU and national legislation and the Irish Farm Film Producers Group is the national, not-for-profit, recycling compliance scheme which aims to protect Ireland’s rural environment. The Committee looks forward to discussing the current operation of the scheme with representatives of the IFFPG and the Department officials.

“The Committee is particularly interested in 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 waste plastic. The main area of concern is reports that there is significant tonnage of plastic in collectors’ yards around the country, even though the purchase levy and collection levy have been paid on this, and what plans IFFPG have to recycle this plastic in the near future.”

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.