A Perthshire -based politician has asked the Scottish Government to look at reviewing current legislation on fly-tipping in order to increase the level of prosecution against law-breakers.
Conservative Mid Scotland and Fife MSP Murdo Fraser raised the issue during a virtual environment portfolio question session with minister for rural affairs and the natural environment Ben Macpherson MSP, saying he feels the current laws are “insufficient”.
Beauty spots and lochs the length and breadth of Perth and Kinross were blighted by excessive spates of fly-tipping from ‘dirty campers’ throughout the first full lockdown last summer.
Mr Fraser called these acts a “scourge” on the landscape and is urging for stricter measures.
“At present, the powers to issue fines for those who are involved in fly-tipping fall to local authorities but in practice they are seldom used because of procedural issues, including problems in collecting evidence,” he said.
“I therefore asked the environment minister if the SNP government will consider reviewing the legislation which empowers local authorities to act in order to try to increase the level of prosecution against what is a growing problem.
“I welcomed the answer from the minister who said the SNP government was open to looking at ways in which the current laws could be strengthened in order to introduce further deterrents.
“However, while this was a positive response, fly-tipping is such a serious issue as was shown last year with a considerable increase in incidents in Perth and Kinross and across Scotland, including domestic and commercial waste being dumped on rural land, that I will endeavour to press SNP ministers on this.
“I feel the present legislation covering fly-tipping is insufficient and should be updated so those who carry out what is essentially a scourge on our landscape receive the correct punishment in the form of substantial fines.”
During the session, Mr Macpherson replied: “I take the opportunity to restate the government’s continued and frequent liaison with the waste sector, including the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, via our waste and resources sector forum.
“The forum has met regularly since the start of the pandemic.
“In addition, I extend our continued thanks to our key workers in refuse, who are working hard in difficult circumstances to keep that key service running.”
He added: “The Scottish Government is always willing to strengthen our approach to littering and fly-tipping.
“We increased the penalties in 2014, but if new or additional measures would provide a further deterrent, we are willing to consider those. Such measures might involve looking at how we can strengthen the waste carrier regulations.”
