Local MSP Brian Whittle is throwing his support behind plans for a new bill in Holyrood to crack down on fly-tipping.
The Scottish Conservative MSP is urging the public to respond to a consultation launched by his party colleague Murdo Fraser MSP who has drafted a Member’s Bill on the issue.
The new bill would be much stronger than the current legislation on fly-tipping, which dates back to 1990 and already has the backing of several rural organisations including NFU Scotland and Scottish Land & Estates.
It would increase punishments for fly-tipping, including by increasing the current fixed-penalty fine of £200. It would also improve data collection of incidents and guarantee that farmers and other land-owners who find waste disposed on their land would not be responsible for its removal.
There are also proposals for a strict liability, which would mean the person who generated the waste would be responsible for clearing it up and paying any fines.
Brian is now encouraging people across South Scotland to give their feedback on the proposals through the consultation which runs until the 23rd of May.
Brian Whittle MSP said:
“Fly-tipping has long been a problem in South Scotland, with field entrances and rural laybys being filled with loads of dumped rubbish.
It’s a source of huge frustration for famers and landowners who have to deal with the mess on their land and spoils the countryside for everyone.
The proposals in Murdo Fraser’s bill are a welcome step forward to discouraging fly-tipping and making sure that those who are responsible are the ones who pay the price.
I know there’s a lot of public support for dealing with fly-tipping and I hope as many people as possible will give their feedback during the consultation. You can view details of the consultation and respond on the parliament’s website.
I’d also encourage people to get in touch with MSPs from other parties and ask them to support the Member’s bill so it gets enough cross party support.”
