Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to prevent industrial fly-tipping.

The Environment Agency’s (EA) specialist crime unit uses intelligence and a range of technology to track down waste criminals, working with the police, partners and local councils. It also has powers to revoke licences and seize vehicles from people involved in waste crime. It inspects businesses to make sure their waste is managed lawfully. The EA has the power to prosecute individuals, businesses and companies who fly-tip.

The EA leads on large scale fly-tipping. This means incidents of:

• More than 20 tonnes (about 20 cubic metres);

• More than 5 cubic metres of fibrous asbestos or 75 litres of potentially hazardous waste in drums or containers;

• Possibly linked to criminal business activity or organised crime.

Fly-tipping not falling within these criteria is the responsibility of local authorities.