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There are no plans at this stage for farm tyre collections outside the three remaining dates, a spokesperson for the Department of the Environment has told the Irish Farmers Journal.
The three remaining dates are scheduled for New Ross Mart, Co Wexford, on 9 October; Athenry Mart, Co Galway, on 13 October; and Gortdrum Mines, Monard, Co Tipperary, on 20 October.
This is despite strong demand from farmers, who formed a 2.5km tailback at the first collection point in Cootehill, Co Cavan last Saturday.
The spokesperson said 439 farmers brought 930t of waste tyres, of which 914t were collected at the subsidised rate of €15/t.
This rate covers the first 3t per herd number, with additional volumes charged at €160/t.
The scheme allows for additional collection points if funding remains available after the planned collections.
However, strong uptake now makes it uncertain whether the €700,000 allocated by the Minister for the Environment Denis Naughten will stretch to any further collections.
Frustration
This has left some farmers frustrated. One in Co Louth told the Irish Farmers Journal she was turned back from Cootehill by gardaí because of traffic chaos and could not deliver her tyres.
Another farmer in north Tipperary, with more than 2,000 tyres to dispose of, said he would not make the hour-and-a-half trip to the Gortdrum Mines centre this month because the subsidised allowance would cover only a fraction of his needs.
“I’ve piled them in a corner, they’re not causing me a problem, but I won’t bring them at that rate,” he said. “It wouldn’t make sense financially – it’s only a rip-off.”
The IFA has called for additional funding and dates to ensure all farmers get a chance to bring unwanted tyres.
“Given the huge level of support for this recycling initiative and farmers’ willingness to recycle, Minister Naughten should now announce the nationwide roll-out of this service to ensure this waste stream is removed off farms and recycled sustainably,” the association’s environment chair Thomas Cooney said.
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