Farmers urged to clear backlog of waste plastic
Tom Dunne, chairman of IFA’s National Industrial Committee, said it is hoped all farmers will have the opportunity of taking old silage plastic to a collection point in their county for disposal, without additional charges over and above the levy they paid when purchasing the plastic.
A pilot scheme is already in place in five counties.
Mr Dunne urged farmers to avail of the service, which is once-off funded by the Government, to clear a backlog of plastic left on farms when the Irish Farm Films Producers Group’s service for collection and recycling of used silage covers proved inadequate.
He pointed out that a €50 charge per collection which will cover about 400 silage bale wraps, will apply after this year.
Some farmers say no plastic was collected from them for five years. Mr Dunne said the IFFPG scheme had been under-funded. The tonnage to be collected far exceeded planned amounts, because large amounts of plastic had been brought in from manufacturers who did not contribute to the scheme.
Under the new scheme, all sellers of silage plastic, plastic sheeting and plastic wrap rolls must be registered, and farmers must present an official receipt for plastic purchase, in order to use the collection and recycling service.
An alternative system of disposal will have to be found by farmers purchasing plastic supplied from Northern Ireland.
