Opposition to ending the burning of agricultural green waste
The end of the exemption for the burning of agricultural green waste is to come into effect in December and has been met with opposition from several local councillors.
A longstanding derogation under Waste Management Regulations allowing farmers to dispose of green agricultural waste by burning, has been in place for some 20 years or more.
Ending this exemption will mean that the burning of agricultural green waste after December 1 will be an offence.
Speaking at Monday’s meeting of the Northern Divisional meeting, Cllr Kay Dawson said that it has been a ‘challenge’ to get landowners to cut ditches and highlighted her concern that ending the burning of agricultural green waste may make this more difficult.
“If we are going to make it more difficult for them to dispose of what they cut down off hedges, I would be really worried that they won't go near the ditch at all for us and we will end up with the roads closing in on us,” Cllr Dawson said.
Cllr Frank O’Flynn, among other councillors, queried alternative methods of disposing of green agricultural waste, as he called for ‘full consultation’ on the ending of the exemption.
September 1 until November 20 this year is to be the final threemonth period of the derogation
According to Cllr Frank Roche, the burning of agricultural green waste is the ‘cleanest’ way to dispose of such material.
ALTERNATIVES?
Several councillors who spoke on the matter queried the alternative methods of disposal suggested in place of burning.
This month’s environment report issued to the Northern Divisional Committee offered a number of recommended alternatives from a report prepared by Irish Bio-Energy Association, which included cutting and drawing into a pile in a field corner where it can be left to decompose over time.
Regular maintenance and flailing, with in situ return to the ground of the material, creating wood fuel from cuttings, alternative hedgerow management and practices such as coppicing and hedge-layout, and alternative uses such as wood-chip, mulch and compost were all suggested.
Senior executive officer with Cork County Council, Ted O’Leary, reminded elected members that the regulation is not a new one and that the burning of waste has been prohibited for the last 20 years, however, he said Ireland has simply enjoyed a derogation in regards to green agricultural waste.
“While this derogation may have been a factor in how farmers dispose of cut material from the roadsides, it shouldn’t be a reason why people don’t comply with their road safety obligations in terms of hedge cutting.
“What’s happening in effect on the first December is that green waste is kind of falling into line with all other wastes for which it has been illegal to burn for over 20 years,” Mr O’Leary said.