Under the Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009 as amended, an exemption was provided that allowed farmers to dispose of green waste by burning i.e. untreated/uncontaminated wood, trees, tree trimmings, leaves and brush which were generated by agricultural practices.
The Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Eamon Ryan, has signed an extension to the exemption under waste management rules, which allows farmers to burn green or agricultural waste as a last resort until 28th February 2023 and then over a three-month period from 1st September to 30th November 2023. Refer to the WASTE MANAGEMENT (PROHIBITION OF WASTE DISPOSAL BY BURNING)(AMENDMENT) REGULATIONS 2023.
The exemption allows farmers to burn green – or agricultural – waste that was cut between September and February, inclusive, as long as a notice is given to the Environment Dept. of Laois County Council. See Notification Form in this regard. Controlled Burning Notification Form 2023
This Controlled Burning Notification form must be submitted to the Environment Section at least 72 hours prior to the proposed burning of the green agricultural waste. These regulations do not apply to the burning of domestic green waste, this type of waste is accepted at Kyletalesha Landfill at a reduced rate further information can be found here: https://laois.ie/departments/environment/waste-recycling/waste-disposal/landfill/.
If you require further information / clarification on this please contact the Environment Section on (057) 8664000.
Further Information
Laois County Council, Environment Section Tel: (057)-8664000
Prescribed Burning Code of Practice – Ireland (Health and Safety Authority)
Note: This page is a guide only. It does not purport to provide, and should not be relied upon as, a legal interpretation of the Regulations. Laois County Council advises you to read the Regulations in full.