Environmental Schemes

Thursday, 4 December 2025

Questions (168)

Michael Fitzmaurice

Question:

168. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice asked the Minister for Climate, Energy and the Environment in advance of a decision to approve an organisation (details supplied) as the operator of the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme for farm plastics; the provisions he has made for recovery operators that collect, process and recycle farm plastics distinct to the organisation, and in compliance with all relevant legislation, have equal access to the levies gathered under this EPR scheme. [68536/25]

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Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment

The Waste Management (Farm Plastics) Regulations 2001 require producers of farm plastics to either establish a deposit and refund scheme for farm plastic waste or to participate in an approved compliance scheme for its recovery and recycling. Since the introduction of the farm plastics extended producer responsibility (EPR) model, producers have chosen to participate in the compliance scheme which is run by the Irish Farm Film Producers' Group (IFFPG). IFFPG is a not-for-profit organisation owned by its producer members and the IFA.

IFFPG funds its operations from producer fees and collection charges. The Group also contracts collection and recycling services following an established procurement process. The setting of fees and charges as well as the contracting of waste collectors and recyclers is an operational matter for IFFPG.