Will the Welsh Government legislate to require courts to impose automatic full cost-recovery orders on convicted fly-tipping offenders in light of the impact of increasing costs to councils of tackling large-scale fly-tipping, and the environmental and health risks associated with fly-tipping?
The courts already have powers under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, following conviction for relevant waste offences, to require offenders to pay certain investigation, enforcement and clean-up costs, in addition to any other penalty imposed. These powers are intended to help ensure that those responsible for illegal waste activities can be required to bear the costs arising from their actions.
The Welsh Government keeps the effectiveness of the legislative framework for tackling waste crime under review. Any proposals for legislative change would need to be considered in the context of their likely effectiveness, practical operation and interaction with the wider legal framework.