Cow approved for waste carrier licence shows criminals are 'milking' the system

The CLA has warned criminals are exploiting the system to appear legitimate before dumping people's waste as fly-tipping soars. 

A cow named ‘Beau Vine' has been legally approved to dispose of people's rubbish, in a license scandal exposed by the CLA.

CLA said it was ‘much too easy' to get a waste carrier licence.

To test the system, the CLA applied for an upper tier waste carrier and dealer license in Beau's name, only to be approved in under three seconds, no checks or questions asked.  

A second application under the name ‘Lawrie Load' was also rubber-stamped by the Government, raising further concerns that even the most basic checks are missing.

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Under the current system, all that is needed to apply is a name, address, email contact and a small fee, with no verifications, driving license details, or photos needed.

Ann Maidment, director of CLA South West and owner of Beau Vine said the approval revealed that not even the most basic background checks are being done.

"And it raises a worrying question: if a cow can get a license, who is the Government actually turning away? 

"Criminals know this. They exploit these licenses to appear legitimate, then go on to fly-tip tonnes of waste, some of it hazardous, endangering the livelihoods of rural communities. 

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"A system that approves applicants instantly and without scrutiny is not regulating waste. It is smoothing the path to dump it. Government must introduce proper checks, verification, and standards to stop rubber-stamping fly-tippers and start protecting the communities they harm." 

The results come as countryside communities continue to suffer from regular fly-tipping. A CLA survey found almost three quarters of farmers are affected each year, with some targeted multiple times each month. Each incident costs on average £1,000 to clear up, with 85% saying they have invested in measures such as CCTV, lighting and other security.

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A Defra spokesperson said: "Waste crime is a scourge on local communities.

"We are working across government to wipe out illegal waste throughout the country and make those responsible pay including significant reforms to the carriers, brokers and dealers regime.

"We are directly supporting the Environment Agency to stop the exploitation of our waste system, including a £43 million boost to waste crime enforcement, and tougher sentences for those who break the law."

Farmers Guardian understands the Government is preparing reforms to the waste carriers, brokers and dealers (CBD) regime and the waste permit exemptions regime, which will move the regulation of waste management and transport from a light-touch registration system into environmental permitting.

This will include tougher background checks.