Dealing with your waste

The Environment Agency's website provides lots of helpful information about all aspects of the Agricultural Waste Regulations 2006. This site also provides useful advice on how farmers should deal with their waste in order to comply with the regulations.

As a result of the Agricultural Waste Regulations 2006, farmers now have several options when dealing with agricultural waste arisings.

• The Environment Agency and the National Farmers' Union have developed a Waste Recycling Directory. This free directory enables farmers to search for the nearest facility/service by entering their postcode and waste type.

• The Agricultural Waste Plastics Collection and Recovery Programme provides farmers with a list of plastic collectors and reprocessors.

• For more useful information on the scope of the Agricultural Waste Regulations 2006, see the Environment Sensitive Farming website.

Applying for exemptions and waste management licences

Farmers can apply for exemptions concerning disposal options. The regulations contain transitional provisions allowing farmers 12 months from the 15th May 2006 to register with the Environment Agency for exemptions or to apply for waste management licences.

When applying for exemptions farmers need to contact the Environment Agency on 0845 603 3113 or download the exemption pack form on the Environment Agency website.

For farmers wishing to apply for a waste management/waste carriers license call the Environment Agency on 0845 603 3113 for more details.