Fly-tipped farmer fundraiser tops £54,000

An online appeal for a Herefordshire farmer affected by illegal dumping has passed £54,000, and the organiser plans to withdraw and hand over the funds in late February or early March. The Environment Agency has also announced new waste-crime enforcement measures, including a drone squad and screening tools.

A public fundraising appeal for a Herefordshire farmer who has faced repeated fly-tipping has raised more than £54,000. The appeal was organised by Archie Ford and originally aimed to raise £45,000. Mr Ford set a donation cut-off of 18 March, plans to withdraw the money on 27 February and intends to hand the funds to the farmer in the first week of March. The update says any surplus raised between 27 February and 18 March will be passed on, and the farmer has indicated a wish to share some funds with others affected by fly-tipping. What we know: - The online appeal has exceeded its original target and donations have passed £54,000. - Organiser Archie Ford announced a donation cut-off of 18 March, will withdraw funds on 27 February, and aims to hand them to the farmer in the first week of March. - The farmer reportedly intends to distribute surplus funds to other farmers facing similar fly-tipping problems. - The Environment Agency announced enhanced measures to tackle waste crime, including a 33-strong drone squad with some drones fitted for laser mapping, a new screening tool to cross-check lorry licence applications against waste permits, and a reinforced 20-person Joint Unit for Waste Crime. - The agency reported that 751 illegal waste sites were closed in a record year, and government ministers spoke about pursuing waste offenders and bringing them to justice. Summary: The fundraiser has provided a substantial sum to the affected Herefordshire farmer and organiser timelines indicate the funds will be withdrawn and transferred in late February or early March. At the same time, national authorities have announced stepped-up enforcement measures aimed at reducing illegal dumping; implementation of those measures and the planned fund transfer are the immediate next developments.