Tory plans to toughen laws on fly-tipping receive cross-party support

Proposals to tackle the “growing scourge” of fly-tipping have received the backing of cross-party MSPs.

Scottish Conservative MSP Murdo Fraser’s Members Bill will be debated in Parliament following the support.

The “common sense” proposals would increase the fixed penalty notice threshold to £200.

It would introduce a legal liability to ensure that the person whose land or property where waste has been dumped is not responsible for its removal.

Instead, Mr Fraser suggested there should be strict liability on the generator of the waste for clearing it up and paying any fines for its disposal, as is already the case in England and Wales.

Tory MSP Murdo Fraser said: “I’m delighted to have secured this cross-party support, which ensures that the Bill will now be debated.

“Fly-tipping creates huge environmental damage and blights both countryside and urban areas.

“The irresponsible, damaging and criminal dumping of refuse and waste at unauthorised locations leaves landowners and public authorities with the substantial costs of cleaning up.

“Incidents, often carried out by organised crime gangs, are on the increase, and new legislation is required.

“I’m glad to have secured overwhelming public approval and the support of my parliamentary colleagues.

“This is not a party political Bill, but a common-sense piece of legislation to tackle a growing scourge, strengthen the law and toughen the punishments for breaching it.”