Across Wales, illegal dump sites have been causing significant environmental and financial challenges.
As a result of this land pollution, the environment is being harmed. Landowners, some of who are not involved in the dumping, are being left with hefty clean-up bills, and the waste can also pose a serious fire risk.
Janet Finch-Saunders, the Member of the Welsh Parliament for Aberconwy and the Welsh Conservatives Shadow Minister for Climate Change and the Environment, commented:
“Illegal dumping sites need to be monitored and reported. We need to be aware of the extent of these sites and ensure that those responsible for dumping are held to account.
“However, I am calling for illegal waste operations to be treated as a more serious criminal offence. It has been reported that some criminals factor fines into their business expenses, which is completely unacceptable. As well as some such as David Neal, becoming a repeat offender. With Mr Neal being fined £40,000 for a breach of an environmental permit, and ordered to pay almost £30,000 in court fees. In the Climate Change, Environment, and Infrastructure Committee yesterday, we scrutinised NRW. During this evidence session I also called for money from these fines to come back to Wales.
“Landowners and councils are currently footing the bulk of the clean-up costs. This was seen in the case of Stephen Williams, who deposited around 2,600 tonnes of contaminated textile waste across three sites. He was fined £322,000, yet the landowner was left to pay £48,790 to clean up the site.
“More needs to be done to hold waste firm owners to account, and tougher sentences will act as a stronger deterrent.”
ENDS
Photo: Janet Finch-Saunders MS/AS
