Over 60,000 instances of fly-tipping were recorded in Scotland last year, leading to calls for law changes. New figures obtained by the Scottish Conservatives through freedom of information (FOI) requests show that 60,405 cases were recorded in 2022.
The data covered all but two of Scotland's 32 local authorities and showed that almost a third - 19,313 - occurred in the Glasgow City Council area.
Conservative Murdo Fraser said the figures underline why new legislation is needed to stop the "growing scourge" fly-tipping has on communities.The Mid Scotland and Fife MSP's Member's Bill aims to improve laws around fly-tipping by ensuring there is better data collection, reporting mechanisms and increased and standardised sanctions.He said: "It is clear from these alarming figures that robust, new fly-tipping legislation is urgently needed."That is why I'm delighted my Member's Bill, which has overwhelming public backing, received the necessary cross-party support to enable me to bring it before Parliament."Fly-tipping creates huge environmental damage across Scotland, which blights the nation's landscape in both rural and urban areas."The irresponsible, destructive, and criminal dumping of refuse and waste at unauthorised locations leaves landowners and public authorities with the substantial costs of cleaning up."Such incidents - often carried out by organised crime gangs - are clearly on the increase, so it's important we get this law on the statute book as soon as possible."It's not a party political Bill, but a common sense piece of legislation that will help to tackle a growing scourge in our communities by strengthening the law and toughening the punishments for breaching it."The proposals have been backed by key
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