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  "path": "/news/hertfordshire-farmer-fined-fly-tipping",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-12T02:53:10.000Z",
  "site": "https://www.gbnews.com",
  "tags": [
    "GB News victory as London boroughs crack down on fly-tipping in Stop Trashing Britain win",
    "Gran slapped with £600 fine after placing cardboard box next to overflowing recycling bin - 'She's done nothing wrong!'",
    "Fly-tippers spark ‘environmental catastrophe’ after dumping 150-meter-long river of waste",
    "The GB News Editorial Charter"
  ],
  "textContent": "\n\n\nAn elderly farmer has been slapped with a £40,000 fine after fly-tippers piled 200 tons of waste on his land.\n\nThe Hertfordshire farmer, in his 80s, said the rubbish was dumped on his field near St Albans last summer.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe farmer, who asked to remain anonymous, is now being held responsible for the clean-up after attempts to locate the culprit failed.\n\nHe could also be criminally prosecuted if he cannot get rid of the rubbish.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nTRENDING\n\nStories\n\nVideos\n\nYour Say\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nThe tipped material is suspected to contain asbestos and specialist contractors have quoted him £40,000 for removal, which the farmer said he cannot afford.\n\nSpeaking through the National Farmers Union (NFU), the farmer said he would be unable to pay for clean-up, describing the fly-tipping incident as \"devastating\".\n\nWill Dickinson, a neighbour and fellow farmer, said the waste included roofing material and bathroom and kitchen fittings.\n\nLocal authorities are responsible for waste on public land, but it is the responsibility of landowners to pay for lawful removal of rubbish on private land.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nIf the material is not removed by the landowner, the local authority and Environment Agency can step in to require clearance.\n\nMr Dickinson, an active member of the NFU, said the incident happened after a two-ton concrete block covering the gateway was pushed out of the way.\n\nThe farmer believed the concrete block was enough to secure the land, but soon found the rubbish which included house-clearing waste and even evidence of drugs and clinical waste.\n\nMr Dickinson said clinical waste could contaminate fields, so \"you don’t dare harvest any of that crop\".\n\n### BRITAIN'S FLY-TIPPING HELL - READ MORE:\n\n\n\n\n  * GB News victory as London boroughs crack down on fly-tipping in Stop Trashing Britain win\n  * Gran slapped with £600 fine after placing cardboard box next to overflowing recycling bin - 'She's done nothing wrong!'\n  * Fly-tippers spark ‘environmental catastrophe’ after dumping 150-meter-long river of waste\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nMr Dickinson said fly-tipping would only make things worse for farmers amid soaring running costs and sinking crop prices.\n\n\"There’s no cross-authority knowledge,\" he added. \"If it’s hazardous, you go to the Environment Agency. If it’s not, then it’s your council. If it’s in a dangerous place, you tell the police, but if it’s a few bin bags, then it won’t get reported.\n\n\"Despite this being 200 tons, the Environment Agency decided it wasn’t big or dangerous enough for them to get involved.\"\n\n\nThe Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner, Jonathan Ash-Edwards, said the incident could have been linked to organised crime.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\nHe added that he supports the maximum possible sentence being imposed on offenders if they are caught.\n\nThe NFU has called for authorities to work closely together to secure more proportionate arrests and convictions.\n\nIt also wants a simple reporting mechanism to be developed and urged the Government to educate householders on their responsibilities for waste.\n\nThe union said it \"believes the whole system needs to tackle fly-tipping at the source\", and called for packaging design, recycling, landfill tax, and tip opening hours to be reconsidered.\n\n###\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n**Our Standards:The GB News Editorial Charter **",
  "title": "Farmer in his 80s slapped with £40,000 fine after fly-tippers pile 200 tons of waste on his land"
}