Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal by Burning) Regulations 2009
The purpose of these Regulations is to make more explicit the offence of disposal of waste by uncontrolled or unregulated burning and outlines the actions which are prohibited by the Regulations, including disposal of household waste within the curtilage of a building and backyard burning of waste. Waste burners are also outlawed unless regulated under the Air Pollution Act.
Exemption is provided for certain agricultural practices but only as a last resort and after specified steps are taken to, reduce and recycle waste arising. This exemption applies until 1st January 2014 when such activities will require registration with Laois County Council.
The burning of waste relates solely to material consisting of uncontaminated wood, trees, tree trimmings, leaves, brush or other similar waste generated by agriculture practices, but excluding garden and park wastes and cemetery wastes and wastes arising from infrastructural development works, provided that such burning is done as a final measure following the application of the waste hierarchy as described of section 5 of the Waste Management (Prohibition of Waste Disposal By Burning) Regulations 2009.
Any uncontrolled burning of waste that causes, or is likely to cause, pollution is now explicitly in breach of both the Waste Management and Air Pollution legislation and Laois County Council will instigate legal action against offenders.
Burning of Agricultural Waste as specified in the Statutory Notice is prohibited during High Fire Risk periods. Please consult Met Eireann or telephone Eastern Region Control Centre (ERCC) on 0818 300112 (non emergency telephone number) for advice.
The Farmer wishing to carry out Controlled Burning should contact the ERCC on 0818 300112 (non emergency line) upon commencement and completion of the controlled burning.
If you require further information / clarification on this please contact Pat Rafferty on 057 8674366.
For further information or application form to notify Laois County Council of the intention to carry out the disposal of Agricultural waste as described in the Regulations please visit www.environ.ie or download the application form here: Controlled Burning Notification Form 2023