The publication is part of efforts to raise farmer awareness ahead of the expected introduction of a Statutory Producer Responsibility (PR) scheme.

The main thrust of the scheme should see non-packaging plastic producers and importers given responsibility for funding collection of the waste, with every farm across the country given access to a free service at the point of collection. The development of the scheme is being informed by a £1m research project funded by Defra‘‘s Business Resource Efficiency and Waste (BREW) programme.

Defra Minister for Waste Joan Ruddock said: "Farmers have a vital role to play in reducing waste by increasing the amount they recycle. It is essential that Government works in partnership with farmers to provide them with guidance on how best to do this.

"The Good Practice guide for Waste Plastics collection and Recovery offers practical advice on the best ways of managing plastics to increase the amount collected and recycled.

"I recognise that Government also needs to reduce the bureaucratic burden for farmers who at present are responsible for the disposal of their plastics and that is why we are currently developing a range of proposals for a new Producer Responsibility scheme. We will consult on the scheme in the New Year."

NFU waste spokesman Robert Caudwell believes the scheme will have a positive impact on NFU members by helping to develop and improve nationwide recycling infrastructure and thereby reducing the cost of compliance with the new Waste Regulations.

He said: "We welcome the comments from the minister and publication of this good practice guide and are backing this scheme because we believe it will bring benefits to NFU members.

"The NFU wants to see an independent body issuing local tenders for waste collections - which would cover both packaging and non-packaging farm plastics. This should, in turn, bring greater competition to the market place by allowing both farmers and existing collectors to apply for one of the tenders in their area, providing more opportunities for diversification and growth in their businesses.

"Introducing a producer-pays scheme may see some increased costs passed onto products but the NFU believes it will ultimately be the most cost-effective option for farmers. In the current climate of waste management, having a regulated PR scheme will assist in the collection and diversion of waste farm plastics from landfill in what we hope will be a win-win situation for farmers and the environment."

Notes

A statutory Producer Responsibilty (PR) scheme could be introduced in late 2008/early 2009. The development of the scheme has been informed by the work of the Agricultural Waste Plastics Collection & Recovery Programme. For more click here

Defra‘‘s BREW programme returns receipts from increases in Landfill Tax to business in a manner that will encourage and support resource efficiency.

It is expected the PR scheme will be funded by a weight-based recycling fee which producers/ importers of non-packaging farm plastics will pay based on the tonnage of material they put onto the market. It will not be government-led and will impose no extra administrative burden on farmers.

Packaging plastics, such as pesticide containers and fertiliser bags, which are collected at the same time may be subject to a charge as they will not be covered under the scheme>