Mr Patsy McGlone (Mid Ulster): To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs to detail any steps his Department is taking to support farmers to recycle farm plastic.
Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs: The use of plastic on farms is unavoidable, given its role in items such as spray containers, silage wrap, silo covers and fertiliser packaging. However, farm plastic waste must be sent to a licensed recycling centre or taken to a licensed landfill site for disposal. My Department supports the responsible management and recycling of this waste, but does not provide direct funding at present.
My Department is aware of independent initiatives such as the Green Tractor Scheme, which promotes the segregation and recycling of farm plastics, with options for delivery to regulated sites or on farm collection.
Local industry operators also provide support to the agriculture sector, including Emerald Isle Recycling which recycles over 50% of Northern Ireland’s farm plastic waste.
ENDS
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