THEY are among the most far-reaching regulations ever introduced in the British countryside, and they will change the way farmers have operated for centuries.

The new UK agricultural waste regulations are designed to reduce pollution on farms by banning age-old methods of disposal.

Due to come into force this year, the rules have been introduced because the European Union has extended to agriculture the Waste Framework Directive, which already covers industry.

They have been developed in the UK as a result of consultations including the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Environment Agency, the National Farmers' Union (NFU), the Country Land Business Association and rural businesses.

The rules ban the use of farm dumps, as well as the burning of most waste in the open air.

Farmers will still be able to burn vegetation, such as cereals, seeds and hedge-trimmings and untreated wood, but not plastics, tyres or wood treated with preservatives.

Under the rules, they will have to take the remainder of their waste to licensed sites, or pay contractors to do it for them. Many farmers are concerned the rules will add to their running costs.

Laurie Norris, environment and landscape use advisor for the NFU in York, said: "Farmers are used to burning small amounts of rubbish or leaving it in holes in the ground on their land, but they cannot do so under the regulations. They will have to have the waste taken away and there will be huge costs."

She said some farmers doubted the wisdom of taking away substances that were previously disposed of on farms because it added to farm costs, increased landfill, at a time when the Government is trying to reduce it, and increased vehicle movements, causing pollution.

But Cormac Quigley, agricultural waste policy advisor at the Environment Agency, said: "It's really important that farmers dispose of their waste correctly. If they continue using their tip after the regulations start, then they will have to comply with the very stringent controls imposed by the landfill directive.

"Farmers might want to think of ways to minimise their waste and save money on disposal costs."

A regional spokesman for the Country Land and Business Association said: "The new Agricultural Waste Regulations will have a major effect on the agricultural industry and farmers and land managers will have to make changes to their current practices.

"In the short-term, farmers have to come to terms with no burning or tipping. Farmers will have 12 months to apply for waste management licences and to register exceptions, which could include using tyres on silage dumps, composting green material, burning wood or bark, or burning waste oil for fuel.

"Farmers should now be thinking about the waste they produce and how it could be reduced, re-used or recycled. They should also start talking to their suppliers about reducing packaging and encouraging the development of 'take-back' schemes."

Published: 17/01/2006