Farm Waste Regulations
Farm Waste Regulations
The Waste Management Licensing (England and Wales) Regulations 2006 came into force in England on 15 May 2006, bringing farm-derived wastes into line with other industries. These regulations were then included under the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) Regulations 2010.
The regulations were introduced to satisfy the EU Waste Framework Directive and Groundwater Directive. Wastes from agricultural premises, previously excluded from the definition of ‘controlled waste’ are now regulated in the same way as other industries.
The key issues are:
- Burying waste and using farm dumps and tips is prohibited unless a Waste Management Licence has been obtained. All existing tips should have ceased operation from 15 May 2006.
- Burning non-natural waste is prohibited, including burning plastic wrap, feed bags etc.
- Wastes can be stored on farm for a period of up to 12 months. Non-hazardous wastes can be stored for up to 3 years for recycling or recovery.
- Waste has to be transferred to an authorised site or contractor for disposal or recycling. Duty of Care applies. Transfer notes must be issued for each hand-over of waste. Records must be kept demonstrating that this has occurred.
- Farmers are able to transport waste derived from their own holdings to licensed sites without needing to become a fully registered waste carrier.
- All records must be kept for a minimum period of two years.
- Producers of Hazardous Waste where the annual quantity of each waste exceeds 500kg have to register with the Environment Agency and notify them of each transfer. Hazardous waste includes waste oil, batteries and building material containing asbestos such as asbestos cement.
- Manure and slurry are not regarded as waste if they are spread on land for agricultural benefit and not in excess.
New regulations introduced on 6 April 2010 changed the system of waste exemptions. Farm based exemptions registered before this date expired on 30 September 2013.
TABLE
| Current Exemption | Description | New Exemption | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | Washing and Packaging containers | T1 | Cleaning, washing, spraying or coating relevant waste |
| 5 | Burning waste as a fuel | U4 | Burning of waste as fuel in a small appliance |
| 7 | Spreading waste on land | U10 | Spreading waste on agricultural land to confer benefit |
| 8 | Storage of sewage sludge | S3 | Storage of sewage sludge |
| 11 | Preparatory treatments for waste intended for re-use | T4 | Preparatory treatments (baling, shredding, sorting etc) |
| 12 | Composting biodegradable waste from agriculture | T23 | Aerobic composting and associated prior treatment |
| 13 | Manufacture from waste and treatment of waste soils | T5 | Screening and blending of waste |
| 14 | Manufacturing finished goods | U9 | Use of waste to manufacture finished goods |
| 15 | Beneficial use of waste | U8 | Use of waste for a specified purpose |
| 16 | Biobeds | T32 | Treating pesticide washings in a biobed or biofilter |
| 17 | Storing wastes intended for recycling or recovery in a secure place | S2 | Storage of wastes in a secure place |
| 18 | Storing wastes intended for recycling or recovery in a secure container | S1 | Storage of wastes in secure containers |
| 19 | The storage and use of building wastes from agricultural premises in construction | U1 | Storage of waste in construction |
| 21 | Chipping, shredding, cutting or pulverising plant matter | T6 | Treatment of wood and waste plant matter by chipping, shredding, cutting or pulverising |
| 25 | Spreading of dredgings and plant material cleared from Inland Waterways | D1 | Deposit of waste from dredging of inland waters |
| 27 | Baling, compacting, crushing, shredding (at the place of production) | Non Waste Framework Directive exemption | Ancillary treatment before collection at the place of production. No need to register an exemption if it is your own waste treated prior to being collected |
| 28 | Spreading ash | U15 | Spreading pig and poultry ash |
| 29 | Disposal, by burning, at the place of production | D6 | Disposal of waste by incineration |
| 30 | Burning waste in the open | D7 | Burning waste in the open |
| 32 | Burying waste from a portable toilet | D3 | Deposit of waste from a portable toilet |
| 36 | Spreading dredgings | U10 | Spreading waste on agricultural land to confer benefit |
| 37 | Deposit of plant tissue | D4 | Deposit of plant tissue under a plant health notice |
| 39 | Storage of medicines and veterinary waste | Non Waste Framework Directive exemption | Temporary storage site of production. You do not need to register this exemption but you must comply with the limits. |
| 47 | Spreading milk on land | U10 | Spreading waste on agricultural land to confer benefit |
For further information, including new exemptions please look at the following website or call 0845 603 3113 or email: [email protected]
www.gov.uk/government/publications/agricultural-waste-exemption-look-up-guide
