Farmers and landowners have been cautioned by the Environment Agency to stay alert for criminals targeting their properties for illegal waste dumping.

The agency has highlighted that organised criminal networks are actively seeking out privately owned land, particularly in rural areas, to unlawfully dispose of waste. These groups often exploit isolated locations to carry out their illegal activities.

A 2023 survey by the Environment Agency revealed that 85% of participating landowners and farmers had experienced minor fly-tipping incidents, while 20% reported large-scale waste dumping on their land.

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Additionally, research from the NFU conducted in June 2024 found that 85% of respondents believe that the issue of fly-tipping in their area has either worsened or remained unchanged over the past five years.

When waste is dumped on private property, the responsibility and financial burden of cleanup fall on the landowner. According to the Environment Agency, the cost of removing illegally dumped waste can exceed £200,000.

Waste crime inflicts an estimated £1 billion annual loss on England's economy, factoring in evaded taxes, environmental damage, social harm, and lost business opportunities.

The Environment Agency is actively working to combat these criminal activities by conducting site inspections and prosecuting those involved to the fullest extent of the law.

Steve Molyneux, the agency's deputy director of waste regulation, emphasised the dangers posed by criminal gangs, who may offer landowners cash to store waste with promises of later removal—promises that are rarely kept.

Molyneux stressed the importance of vigilance in preventing these criminals from accessing land: “Waste criminals need access to places to dump the rubbish they illegally collect – but your vigilance can stop them. Shutting them out of property and land is just one tactic to scupper these rogues.”

Country Land and Business Association (CLA) president, Victoria Vyvyan, echoed these concerns, noting that fly-tipping is severely impacting rural communities. She pointed out that farmers and landowners often face significant expenses, averaging £1,000, to remove dumped waste, with some paying as much as £100,000. This waste, which often includes hazardous materials like asbestos and chemicals, poses serious risks to farmers, wildlife, livestock, crops, and the environment.