An MSP wants to know why no money has been raised from fines for fly-tipping.
Finlay Carson called for answers at Holyrood when questioning the Scottish Government’s progress on tackling unauthorised dumping.
He pointed out that since 2015, Revenue Scotland has been allowed to charge a tax on fly-tippers.
The Galloway and West Dumfries Tory MSP asked Rural Affairs and Natural Environment Minister Ben Macpherson: “Can the Cabinet Secretary explain why not one penny has been recovered on unauthorised disposals when this government says it is doing everything it can to stop fly-tipping?”
Mr Macpherson replied: “Given that the supplementary question covers both this portfolio and the finance portfolio, I will take his question away, consult finance colleagues and provide him with a written response on the matters raised.”
Afterwards Mr Carson said: “Clearly we want to halt any form of fly-tipping but you must also question if the Scottish Government is sending out the wrong message to criminals by not taking any sort of firm action against them – in particular, hitting them hard in their pockets.
“I welcome the intervention of the minister and look forward to further dialogue with him over a number of important issues involving rural Scotland.”
Mr Macpherson also told the chamber that the Scottish Government had been working with local authorities to ensure house waste recycling centres could operate during the pandemic in a bid to cut down on fly-tipping.
He added: “Updated Scottish Government guidance explicitly allows people to travel to access essential waste and recycling services. Local authorities are working hard to keep waste collections operating under very difficult circumstances.
“I want to pay tribute to and thank all refuse workers for their hard work in keeping our vital services running.
“I urge everyone to manage their waste responsibly at this difficult time.
“Our waste management marketing campaign and web resource, which includes messages on fly-tipping prevention, set out how the public can do that.”
