Farmer faces tipping charge after moving asbestos dumped in lane
[gallery]When farmer Neale Dalton found dangerous asbestos dumped on his land he did the responsible thing and reported it to Shropshire Council.
But he was told that as it was his property it was his responsibility. And he was warned that because he had moved it a couple of metres nearer the verge, he could himself be prosecuted by the authority for fly-tipping.
Mr Dalton, who farms near Shifnal, said"We had some brick-ends recently which I was able to get rid of but this lot includes asbestos which is a hazard.
Councillor Martin Bennett, Shropshire Council's cabinet member responsible for environmental maintenance, said: "We have tried to work with him to resolve this. We did advise that if he moved the waste onto public land that this would also be classed as fly-tipping, which is illegal.
"Unfortunately he went against our officer's advice and moved the waste.
"We have therefore asked him to arrange for it to be moved as soon as possible and have offered to provide the name of specialist contractors who can help with this."
The NFU is calling on farmers to report fly-tipping to the union. Spokesman Sarah Faulkner said: "Generally speaking, if you are the victim of a crime you are not expected to pay the criminal's costs."
