Tory MSP: Toughen fines for fly-tipping

A Tory MSP wants to change the law to toughen up fines on fly-tipping.

Conservative Murdo Fraser has started working on a Members’ Bill which could also make those who dump rubbish illegally responsible for cleaning it up.

With the global climate change summit due to take place in Glasgow later this year, he said: “Cutting down on the inconsiderate crime of fly-tipping would deliver a huge boost to Scotland’s environment in the year of Cop26.”

The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP has now started working with the Scottish Parliament’s nongovernment bills unit on the proposals – which have already won the backing of both the National Farmers Union (NFU) Scotland and estate owners in the Scottish Land and Estates organisation.

Items such as rotting meat, hazardous asbestos waste, domestic appliances, household rubbish and old tyres and car batteries have all been found dumped this year, said NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy, who added it was often farmers who were left to pay for disposal.

Fraser said fly-tipping was a “growing problem” that needed to be tackled.

Fixed-penalty notices of £200 can currently be imposed on those caught dumping rubbish.