Farmer refuses to remove asbestos

by liamssoft | September 18, 2007 at 12:39 am

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More people die from (mesothelioma) exposure to asbestos than accidents on British roads. In the next 30 years 150-250,000 UK citizens will die of lung cancer, mesothelioma and asbestosis. The Asbestos Hazards Handbook.

A farmer in Essex is refusing to remove a ton of asbestos dumped on his land by fly-tippers because it would cost him thousands of pounds.

The potentially deadly asbestos was left on David Gibbon's land at South Fambridge, near Southend.

Mr Gibbon's only option is to pay a specialist handler £3,000 to remove the asbestos from his land otherwise the environment agency will prosecute him.

But he has no intention of moving it and is demanding a change in the law.

He said: "The best quote I have had so far is £3,000 to have it moved. But if I move it, who is to say that in two days time I get another load put here, it could cost me another £3,000. Will I have to pay for ever?"

In a statement the Environment Agency said: "We have sympathy with David Gibson and any landowner that finds themselves a victim of fly-tipping.

"Mr Gibson did the right thing in contacting the Environment Agency.

"The law states that it is the landowner's responsibility to see to its safe disposal."