Airbnb finally bans holidays bookings after political outcry
SCOTLAND’S countryside is being blighted with junk due to a rise in flytipping, it has been claimed.
A joint statement by five leading rural and environmental organisations sounded the alarm over a wave of litter brought on by the coronavirus crisis.
The groups said fields, laybys and lanes have become hot spots for DIY remnants, unwanted furniture and garden waste.
They are now pleading with people across Scotland “not to be selfish”.
Politicians condemned the practice and insisted flytippers are breaking the law and putting others at risk.
Scottish Land and Estates, the National Farmers’ Union of Scotland, the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Zero Waste Scotland all urged the public to report any examples of flytipping.
In a heartfelt statement, they highlighted the impact on farmers, including huge financial costs, at a time when many are already stretched.
They said: “Over the past few weeks, we have seen Scotland’s beautiful countryside being blighted even more with people’s junk.
“Farmers’ fields, laybys and lanes have become hot spots for DIY remnants, unwanted furniture and garden waste.
“At a time when farmers are working around the clock to provide food for the nation and trying to keep their businesses running despite being short- staffed, it is heartbreaking to see their land being used as a giant tip.
“Additionally, local authorities have been forced to temporarily reduce or suspend some services due to the crisis, they are prioritising essential services to protect public health, therefore dealing with flytipping at this time puts added pressure on this limited resource.
“We are pleading with people not to be selfish. Now is not the time to try and get rid of items following a spring clean or DIY project. We are urging you to keep them at home until recycling centres re-open and charities begin to collect furniture and clothing again.
“Please don’t be taken in by offers of cheap disposal – that’s likely to lead to others fly-tipping your items.
“Keeping items on your own property for a few weeks is better than taking part in a criminal act that could have longer term consequences, not to mention a fine of up to £40,000.
“Flytipping is illegal, ugly and dangerous. It can be harmful to lambs, calves and other animals and wildlife too. But for farmers and other landowners, it is also costly to clean up.
“Dealing with litter and flytipping costs £53 million of public money in Scotland every year, and that’s only in relation to public land.
“This money could be better spent elsewhere, particularly at this time.
“When litter and flytipping occurs on private land such as farmers’ fields, it is down to the owner to have it removed – and to foot the bill for doing so. The costs involved are huge.
“The effects are not all financial either. Flytipping takes time to clear responsibly, can block access, and can cause issues around health and safety.
“The public can also help by acting as the eyes and ears of their community – we urge anyone who notices flytipping to report it, so it can be
AIRBNB has blocked holiday bookings during the coronavirus lockdown following intense political pressure.
The company said all new UK bookings for stays up to at least April 18 will be limited to key workers and essential visits.
SNP MP Ian Blackford, who represents the rural constituency of Ross, Skye and Lochaber and led a campaign on the issue, welcomed the move.
He said: “I am delighted to have secured a ban on holiday rentals from Airbnb, which is welcome news for people in the Highlands and all across Scotland
“People should be following the clear public health advice to stay at home and avoid unnecessary travel.
“An outright ban on holiday bookings should have been the case from the very outset of the lockdown and I sincerely hope Airbnb has learned lessons from their awful handling of this.
“In light of their decision, it’s now imperative bookings taken before the ban are cancelled as a matter of urgency to protect our rural dealt with by the appropriate authority. This can be done in a number of ways, including through the online Dumb Dumpers website or reporting directly to the relevant local authority.
“As rural and environmental organisations, we are working together to stop flytipping – but we can only do it with the public’s support.”
The joint statement was signed by Sarah-jane Laing, chief executive of Scottish Land and Estates; NFUS president Andrew Mccornick; Alan Dron, rural crime coordinator at the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime; Barry Fisher, chief executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful; and
Iain Gulland, chief executive of Zero Waste Scotland.
The plea comes amid reports of a surge in flytipping across the UK.
Residents have been urged to act responsibly as councils suspend normal services such as household waste centres to cope with the Covid-19 pandemic.
There have also been concerns over an increase in waste as families spend more time at home and stock up on supplies.
Councils across Scotland have scaled back services.
The collection of bulky waste has been suspended at Glasgow City Council since March 19.
It urges residents not to leave items on the street. Its website adds: “Please leave any unwanted items safely on your own property such as your back garden or your back court and remain mindful of any fire risk.”
All household waste recycling centres communities from the risk of the spread of coronavirus.”
Speaking on the BBC’S Good Morning Scotland programme, Mr Blackford had criticised Airbnb for allowing people to continue to use the site.
He said: “Risk is being brought to our communities on the basis of greed and it’s the likes of Airbnb and those that own the properties that are jointly responsible for that.
“But people would only be able to find these properties as they are being advertised on the Airbnb platform.
“I cannot understand why Airbnb will not accept their responsibility and simply shut the site down from people booking these holidays in the interim period.
“They know the guidance is there, they know that on the basis of the emergency legislation this is breaking the law and they are bringing difficulties to our communities – the risk of this virus spreading.”
Brendan O’hara, SNP MP for Argyll and Bute, had also criticised Airbnb for continuing to offer bookings in rural areas.
He raised concerns about are closed until further notice.
Edinburgh has also suspended the collection of bulky waste and advises residents: “If you have large items please keep them at home and only use communal and wheelie bins for your day to day waste and recycling.”
The city’s recycling centres are also closed until further notice.
Mavis Valley Recycling Centre in
East Dunbartonshire has been closed since March 24, while household waste recycling centres in West Lothian were shut on the same date.
In West Dunbartonshire, the recycling centres at Ferry Road and Dalmoak are closed until further notice.
Similar measures have been put in place at councils up and down the country.
MSP Mark Ruskell, the Scottish Greens’ farming spokesman, said flytippers are putting others at risk.
He said: “Flytipping is illegal and dangerous at any time, but at a time of national emergency it is a downright disgrace. Emergency regulations state that people must stay at home unless they have an essential reason to be out.
“Those perpetrating this anti-social practice are not only breaching these regulations but they are putting others at risk, potentially spreading the virus while doing so.
“I would urge anyone with information on anyone engaging in this irresponsible activity to report it to police and local authorities immediately.”
MSP Rachael Hamilton, the Scottish Conservatives’ rural affairs spokeswoman, said: “The country is going through an unprecedented crisis and farmers are doing their best to keep the food and drink supplies coming.
“The very least they deserve is to be repaid by increased fly-tipping.
“Flytipping is dangerous to livestock and hazardous for farm workers to clear up. It’s completely unacceptable for people to think they can get rid of unwanted items, and that someone else will clear up the mess.”
We are pleading with people not to be selfish. Now is not the time to try and get rid of items
the impact on local NHS services as the Easter holidays approached.
Earlier this week, he said the site was still advertising 19 bookings on Loch Lomondside alone.
The BBC reported some UK hosts were even advertising properties as “Covid-19 retreats” and “perfect for isolating with family”.
Airbnb said it will review the temporary ban in line with the Government’s guidance, and on a regular basis after that.
It said thousands of UK hosts have opted to provide accommodation for its “frontline stays” programme.
This includes free stays for NHS staff and paid or subsidised stays for other key workers who are on the frontline of the pandemic.
The site had previously warned customers to check travel restrictions before making a booking.
It had also introduced restrictions such as blocking private room stays and temporarily switching off its “instant book” feature for entire properties.
Elsewhere, it had offered guests refunds through its
“extenuating circumstances” policy to ensure no user felt the need to travel.
Patrick Robinson, director of public policy at Airbnb, said: “Hosts across the UK are playing a vital role in housing NHS and other medical staff as they continue their critical work.
“We’ve also heard from hosts who want to help others follow the rules and keep people safe during these unprecedented times.
“Restricting bookings on Airbnb to key workers and other essential stays will allow hosts to continue supporting frontline workers while following Government guidance.”
Last weekend, The Herald on Sunday reported Edinburgh has now moved all homeless families with children out of unsuitable B&BS after Airbnb properties and hotel rooms were left empty by the coronavirus lockdown.
With assistance from the charity Streetwork,
120 hotel bedrooms and 65 flats, including former Airbnb properties, have been transformed into safe accommodation for homeless families and rough sleepers.