Cow gets permission to dispose of household rubbish

A cow has been legally approved to dispose of household rubbish - which campaigners say highlights how easy it can be for fly-tippers to appear legitimate.

Ann Maidment, the director of the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), applied for the licence with the Environment Agency (EA) on behalf of Beau Vine, one of her cows.

Maidment told BBC Radio Wiltshire it "was very easy" for the cow to gain the qualification and claim the application was approved in "under three seconds". "She's probably the most famous cow in the country today," she said.

The government said it is looking into significant reforms and described waste crime as a "scourge on local communities".

"The fact that a cow can be approved under three seconds reveals something seriously alarming," Maidment explained.

"If a cow can get a licence, who else are the government actually approving? We are really concerned about how criminals might be exploiting these licences," she said.

Under the current system, a name, address, email contact and a small fee is needed to apply for an upper tier waste carrier and dealer licence from the government.

The CLA said no verification, driving license details or photos are needed, which could make it easier for people looking to charge people for waste removal but then dump the rubbish.

The CLA, which supports landowners, property owners and business owners, also submitted a second application under the name 'Lawrie Load,' which they said was also granted.

A Defra spokesperson told BBC Wiltshire. "We are working across government to wipe out illegal waste throughout the country and make those responsible pay including significant reforms to the carriers, brokers and dealers regime."

The spokesperson added that £43m has been committed to "boost to waste crime enforcement" with work under way to create "tougher sentences for those who break the law."

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