60 illegal scrapyards uncovered

Local authorities have been urged by the Office of Environmental Enforcement to use innovative means - including the hiring of helicopters - to seek out unauthorised vehicle scrappers, who can face fines of up to €15 million as well as jail sentences of up to 10 years.

The move follows a successful operation undertaken by Cork County Council. The local authority used a helicopter to identify 60 unauthorised car scrapyards, many of which were not visible from local roads and which were subsequently inspected and served with warning notices by the council.

Following the Cork County Council initiative, some 15 closed down, nine are in the process of closing down, and nine have applied or are in the process of regularising their situation.

Details of the crackdown were provided at a conference of the State's environmental agencies, including local authorities, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Office of Environmental Enforcement and gardaí, which took place in Wexford last week.

Delegates were told unauthorised car scrapyards are now "noted as a priority area in the enforcement network work programme".

They were also told that the EU Commission had raised the issue with the Government, with regard to breaches of the EU Waste Directive.

Cork County Council said the legislation allows it to seek recompense for the cost of the helicopter surveys from those convicted. The crackdown comes as the Department of Environment is encouraging the Irish motor industry to sign contracts with permit-holding vehicle scrappers.

Under new regulations,motor manufacturers must provide car-buyers with a place to recycle end of life vehicles. Permit-holding scrapyards must meet strict environmental standards, including having hard surfaces, holding tanks for water run-off, and measures to protect against ground pollution from oils and other materials. Under the regulations, there are to be some 42 licensed scrapyards across the State, nominally one in each county or, in cities, one per 150,000 people.

Motor manufacturers or importers must pay a charge to register with local authorities and sign contracts with permit-holding dealers to take the scrap. The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) said the registration fees alone would cost importers €3 million.

However, Nick Bond, an enforcement officer with Cork County Council, said the penalties for non-compliance were strict. They include fines of €3,000 and up to 12 months in jail, which may be imposed by the District Court.

The Circuit Court, however, may impose fines of up to €15 million, and impose jail terms of up to 10 years under the Waste Management Act.

Bond pointed out that the helicopter trips had also been a useful tool in gathering information on other possible infringements of environmental legislation.

Check www.epa.iefor more information.