In earlier blogs in this series, we have detailed the general duty of care all parties handling waste need to comply with and what information needs to be included in a waste transfer note. Here we look specifically at what you need to do if you are a...
Regulatory
The most vital piece of paperwork in any waste transaction is the description of waste transfer note. It is a criminal offence to not produce a valid and accurate transfer note, to not ensure there is one (if you are not the one producing it) and to not keep...
You’ve read our last three blogs on waste and have determined that the material you want to dispose of, move or use is likely to be classified as waste and you know you have a duty of care to ensure that the waste is dealt with in accordance with...
Unlike many areas of regulatory law, where each person is only responsible for their own small section of the chain and only need have knowledge of the person who gave them a product and the person they sold it to, waste law is different and far more...
The legal definition of waste is at first blush simple, a material which the current holder has discarded is waste. However, this apparent simplicity is deceptive. When determining whether a material has been discarded and is therefore legally...
The law on waste is quite frankly a minefield of utter nonsense drafted originally by the EU and further refined, and complicated, by the UK parliament and the Environment Agency. Sometimes, waste is exactly what you think it is - a load of...
In a press release dated 30 June 2025, the Environment Agency announced that they are doubling the funding for inspections of farms “as part of a wider drive to help farmers slash agricultural pollution”. But what will that mean practically for...
The new Marks & Spencer strawberries and cream sandwich has gone viral on social media since its launch last week. However, whilst consumers are debating the flavours, accountants and lawyers are debating its tax classification – whether it...
On 11 June 2025, the FSA issued a food alert to consumers who have purchased and businesses who have sold Jolly Rancher confectionery products, owned by US company Hershey. The affected products are: Jolly Rancher Hard Candy Jolly Rancher Misfits Gummies ...
An Abatement Notice is a very specific type of Enforcement Notice served by a Local Authority where they conclude that there is a statutory nuisance. Unlike most enforcement notices, a Local Authority has a duty to serve an Abatement Notice if they determine...
In a recent case, the Roythornes Regulatory Team together with instructed barrister David Hercock of 6 Pump Court Chambers, secured a victory for an agricultural client in Lincolnshire against the local Council. We were supported by expert evidence...
EA are investigating farmers taking receipt of Gypsum and spreading it on their land without an Environmental Permit. We have received several enquiries from farmers in Lincolnshire who have spread Gypsum on that land in order to improve the quality of the...
We are aware that Port Health Authorities are currently rejecting food goods from China containing dairy. The regulations which govern the import of products of animal origin into the UK both from within the EU and from Third Countries are extensive and...
The Environment Agency is seeking views on proposals to introduce new waste charges and update existing charging regimes from April 2025. What is being proposed? Proposals include: A 10% additional levy to apply to annual subsistence charges related to...
If your farm is in Catchment Sensitive Area and produce or spread organic material such as slurry on your fields, then you may have had a letter from the Environment Agency (EA) recently about complying with the Farming Rules for Water this winter. I have...
From 1 January 2024, local authorities, the Food Standards Agency and other competent authorities will be able to serve Fixed Penalty Notices on individuals and businesses who contravene animal welfare law. This is a new type of enforcement available to the...
Animal welfare is high on the political agenda, with Trading Standards (a department in your local council, usually the borough or district council) being prompt and thorough to investigate reports of animal welfare breaches. Trading Standards is responsible...
Last week, Farming Minister Mark Spencer MP announced that the Animal Welfare (Kept Animals) Bill, which has been making its way through Parliament for nearly two years, would be dropped and the measures it contains introduced separately. Our animal welfare...
Livestock worrying by dogs costs British farmers millions of pounds every year and causes an immense amount of distress to farmers and their animals. Most issues are caused by ignorant, irresponsible, or uncaring dog owners who do not know how to control...
As the cost of living and running your business continue to rise, it can be tempting to try to challenge any enforcement action by local authorities, the Food Standards Agency, the Environment Agency and other regulators by yourself without the benefit of...
The Upper Tribunal has ruled that where an appeal is made, pursuant to Regulation 22 of The Welfare at the Time of Killing regulations 2015, to the First Tier Tribunal and then that decision is subsequently withdrawn or not relied upon by the Respondent...
In April this year, we considered the proposed changes to the regulations surrounding animal welfare in transport contained in the government consultation. Last month, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (“DEFRA”) published...