‘Serial dumpers’ and some motorists continue to deface Irish countryside
THE IFA are spearheading a ‘clean-up’ campaign across the county between now and the end of the month as part of a national project to make our countryside a far tidier place.
At the same time, the IFA are also campaigning for tougher penalties and more detections in relation to the problem of illegal dumping that’s occurring right across the country.
“Farmers and communities are very proud of their own area and we are getting a very positive response to this campaign. People do take a real pride in the appearance of their own areas,” Galway IFA Environmental Committee Chairman, Bertie Roche told the Farming Tribune.
However he said that the scourge of illegal dumping in parts of Galway was an ongoing problem that required more resources and tougher penalties to be brought against the offenders.
“There seems to be a hard core of ‘serial dumpers’ who just indiscriminately dump materials often on quiet country roads or in places like bogs or woodlands.
“Such activity really does deface the countryside and we are calling on local authorities and the Dept. of Environment to crack down on this type of activity,” said Bertie Roche.
He said that this year the IFA had teamed up with the Irish Farm Film Producers Group (IFFPG) with a €6,000 prize fund (five prizes) for farm families registering for a clean-up activity.
According to IFA Deputy President, Tim O’Leary, littering of the countryside by passing motorists continued to be a real issue in rural Ireland.
“The Department of Environment must step up their action in this area by introducing tougher penalties and ensuring that local authorities more effectively implement litter laws,” said Mr. O’Leary.
He also complimented the thousands of farm families who keep their local communities litter free each year and he said that the IFFPG competition for farm families was a very welcome and positive iniative.
“The Rural Spring Clean initiative is all about recognising this work by asking farm families to remove litter on roadside verges around the farm and register this activity here,” he said.
IFFPG Chairman Michael Slattery said that farmers had a long record for supporting the recycling activity of his group and he had no doubt that farmers would really row in behind the Rural Clean-up initiative.
April is National Spring Clean week, with every sector of society encouraged to actively participate and take responsibility for litter, by conducting local clean-ups. Last year, an estimated 550 tonnes of litter was collected, of which 35% was recycled.
To register for National Spring Clean, go to the www.nationalspringclean.org website or call 01-4002219.