Since the COVID-19 lockdown started, instances of fly tipping across the country have spiked. The increase in cases has prompted rural and environmental organisations to issue a joint statement pleading with people not to be selfish and dispose of their waste responsibly.

Over the past two weekends, Peter Thomson, who grows a range of berries near Blairgowrie, has seen two loads of mixed waste dumped in fields adjacent to the polytunnels housing his fruit crops (pictured).

The quantities of waste dumped suggest that a flatbed lorry or tipper van were used. That mess has included all sorts of general household waste including dirty nappies, old cans and child seats. Larger items included a fridge freezer and remains of either kitchen or bathroom cabinets and a quantity of laminate flooring.

Thomson said: “It all has to be picked up, and I have only two options.

I have tried to report the recent incidents to the local authority, but the council isn’t answering the phones at this time

“I can take it to a council waste site, which is closed now due to coronavirus, and for which I need both a SEPA licence to transport waste, and a council permit for business use.

“The other alternative is that I have to hire and pay for a skip to be delivered to the farm, fill it at my own risk and have it collected.

“I have tried to report the recent incidents to the local authority, but the council isn’t answering the phones at this time. Our local SEPA office is interested in pursuing the case. In both incidents, we have found envelopes with names and addresses so there is the potential to investigate further and prosecute. That kind of action needs to be taken or cases like this will just continue to happen with farmers bearing the brunt of time and cost in dealing with them.”

Local authorities have been forced to temporarily reduce or suspend some services due to the crisis

Scottish Land & Estates, NFUS, Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime, Keep Scotland Beautiful and Zero Waste Scotland are all pleading with the public not to dump rubbish in the countryside. Their joint statement says: “At a time when farmers are working around the clock to provide food for the nation and trying to keep their businesses running despite being short staffed, it is heart breaking to see their land being used as a giant tip. Additionally, local authorities have been forced to temporarily reduce or suspend some services due to the crisis. They are prioritising essential services to protect public health, therefore dealing with fly-tipping at this time puts added pressure on this limited resource.”