A farmer in Essex is refusing to remove a ton of asbestos dumped on his land by fly-tippers because it would cost him thousands of pounds. The potentially deadly asbestos was left on David Gibbon's land at South Fambridge, near Southend. Mr Gibbon's only option is to pay a specialist handler £3,000 to remove the asbestos, otherwise the Environment Agency will prosecute him.
He said, "The best quote I have had so far is £3,000 to have it moved. But if I move it, who is to say that in two days time I will get another load put here, it could cost me another £3,000. Will I have to pay forever?" In a statement, the Agency said, "We have sympathy with David Gibson and any landowner that finds themselves a victim of fly-tipping. He did the right thing in contacting the Environment Agency, however the law states that it is the landowner's responsibility to see to its safe disposal."
Landowners' representatives have argued that the law needs changing. Jane Burch from the Country Land and Business Association said, "As the cost of waste disposal goes up more and more waste is illegally disposed of on private land. We would like to see a change in the law so at least hazardous waste is not charged to the landowner and is dealt with by the local authority or the Environment Agency at the cost to the public purse."
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