PROPOSED legislation aimed at increasing efforts to combat fly-tipping has received support in south west Scotland.
It follows data from Scottish local authorities confirming 375 formal fly-tipping reports have been submitted to the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service since 2016-17, but only 15 per cent were actually prosecuted.
Dumfriesshire MSP Oliver Mundell is not surprised at the figures, but is disappointed. The MSP is now backing a Members Bill which aims to improve current laws around fly-tipping, ensuring better reporting mechanisms and data collection together with increased standardised penalties.
Mr Mundell said: “Fly-tipping, along with litter and vandalism, is a serious problem in my constituency and proves damaging to wildlife and the environment, as well affecting the quality of life for many.
“It can prove financially costly to farmers and other property owners, who sometimes face clearing up potentially hazardous waste.
“Sadly it has become almost routine to see items, such as old building materials and white goods, dumped at road sides and in woodlands, which ultimately has a negative effect on vital local industries such as tourism.”
Both Oliver Mundell and local MP David Mundell have lobbied Dumfries and Galloway Council to consider relaxing the pre-booking system at civic amenity facilities in order to encourage greater use of official sites.
The MSP added: “These issues need to be tackled on several fronts. There needs to be a culture change towards that in some other countries, where discarding items in public and other spaces is simply considered anti-social and unacceptable.”
