Environment Agency Waste Soils Campaign

[Princess Pooper]

Anyone else had a letter out of the blue about this? Addressed to the farm but our business name not on it. Says it has 'come to their attention that we have been involved in the processing of waste soil (which includes either producing it, transporting it or disposal of waste)'.

We haven't - well not anyone else's soil anyway, although like most farmers we have moved soil around on the farm eg when we built our slurry lagoon. I'll have to look and see if we ticked a waste soil box on registering waste exemptions, which we do for something we might possibly do in the future as well as things we definitely do (the might do in the future is because of a bypass coming through us which may generate some waste soil). There is then a whole load of gumph about classification of waste soil and in particular 'persistent organic pollutants are commonly found on former farmland due to historical use of pesticides.... and if over a certain limit. the waste soil will be classified as hazardous'.

FFS are they TRYING to send us all into a mental health crisis?

 

[Steevo]

When my waste exemptions came due for renewal this time around I just ticked every box going. A bit like insurance, I'd rather be accidently covered for something I didn't think I'd need (especially when it's free) than in breach of something based on a clipboard wielding inspector suggesting that the soil that falls off my boots outside the back door is now classed as "waste".

That said.....not heard a dickey bird!

 

[farmerm]

Worlds going mad!

 

[vantage]

FFS are they TRYING to send us all into a mental health crisis?

I see you have as much disdain of them as I have!
Did I register our new house waste treatment tank? No
Did I re-register waste exemptions? No
Who dreams up this bollox?

 

[ollie989898]

Tell them you only handle soil containing heavy metals as It stops the weeds growing on it.

 

[Princess Pooper]

Tell them you only handle soil containing heavy metals as It stops the weeds growing on it.

 

[nick...]

When my waste exemptions came due for renewal this time around I just ticked every box going. A bit like insurance, I'd rather be accidently covered for something I didn't think I'd need (especially when it's free) than in breach of something based on a clipboard wielding inspector suggesting that the soil that falls off my boots outside the back door is now classed as "waste".

That said.....not heard a dickey bird!

I done this too
Nick...

 

[spin cycle]

regulatory stress should be an hse issue.....they should have risk assessments about it IMO

it will come eventually i think

 

[ollie989898]

The only way to deal with authority in this situation is to pretend to be utterly thick. Ask stupid questions like does the soil from your garden count when you buried your pet ferret, what about the car tyre you dug up the other day and while you are at it what about this glass bottle. Pretend to be the daftest jaw dangling yokel you can and they will soon be bored of it. Offer paltry bribes: 'ok so hows about between you and me fifty quid coppers to sort it, hows about half a calf on top?'

 

[Chuckie]

When my waste exemptions came due for renewal this time around I just ticked every box going. A bit like insurance, I'd rather be accidently covered for something I didn't think I'd need (especially when it's free) than in breach of something based on a clipboard wielding inspector suggesting that the soil that falls off my boots outside the back door is now classed as "waste".

That said.....not heard a dickey bird!

I did that last time then they turned up without any warning to check up on me He went round the farm and had a look then cancelled the ones that we don't need. I think if you tick every box it must set alarm bells ringing at EA HQ

 

[Fivedoors]

Received the same letter I was told ditch cleanings could come under processing of soil if you cart it away to another area to level so the box was ticked,filed it with the other environmental agency waste we all process!