Tailbacks of 2.5km are being seen in Cootehill, Co Cavan, as farmers from neighbouring counties queue up at the tyre recycling point at Cootehill Mart.

“The demand is absolutely incredible,” IFA Ulster/North Leinster regional chair Nigel Reneghan told the Irish Farmers Journal.

“They put some money aside for this scheme to recycle tyres but it’s quite clear that they’re going to have to quadruple the number of days they’ve set aside for farmers to drop off tyres.”

Scenes in Cootehill, Co Cavan. With 2.5km tailbacks to recycle tyres.

Earlier this year, Minister for the Environment Denis Naughten announced a €700,000 scheme to subsidise the recycling of tyres on farms.

There should also be a collection point in every county

One-day collections were available from 9am to 5pm at Cootehill Mart, Co Cavan, on 29 September; New Ross Mart, Co Wexford, on 9 October; Athenry Mart, Co Galway, on 13 October; and Gort Drum Mines, Monard, Co Tipperary, on 20 October.

Farmers must pay a €15/t charge for the first 3t of tyres, equivalent to 330 car tyres. Any tyres above 3t will attract a €160/t charge.

Scenes in Cootehill, Co Cavan. With 2.5km tailbacks to recycle tyres.

“There should also be a collection point in every county in Ireland and perhaps three to cover all of Cork,” Renaghan said.

“You can’t expect every farmer to be able to drive down from Donegal or Monaghan to Cootehill. They should be able to avail of the service in their own county.”

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