06-05-2025
Minister outlines collection of used agricultural tyres from farms
The Minister for the Environment has confirmed that Circol ELT – which operates Ireland's tyre compliance scheme – is planning to collect used tyres 'lawfully held on farms' this year.
According to Minister Darragh O'Brien the collection is part of a move to support the agri sector to adapt to regulations set out in a scheme designed to ensure that producers have responsibility to 'finance the collection and environmentally sound waste management of their products at end of life'.
From the beginning of this year agricultural tyres are now included in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Scheme, which operates similar to the system in place for farm plastics.
Under existing legislation first introduced in 2017 tyre producers pay an environmental management cost (EMC) to Circol ELT, who organise the collection of end-of-life tyres.
Previously agricultural, truck or bus, construction and industrial tyres did not incur an EMC.
However from January 1, 2025, the EPR Scheme includes all categories of bus, truck, agricultural, construction and industrial waste tyres.
Tyres
According to the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications (DECC) the management of used tyres is a 'technological, economic and ecological challenge' for Ireland.
Last year it held a consultation on extending the EPR Scheme which also included proposed new EMCs for various categories:
Source: DECC (2024)
Minister Darragh O'Brien said although the consultation on the extension of the scheme closed in late October last year his department is currently considering the 'implications of an extension of the scheme'.
He said that 'any such extension is underpinned by careful analysis of the implications, with a view to the long-term viability of an extended scheme'.
Previously the president of the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), Francie Gorman, warned that the inclusion of agricultural tyres in the the EPR Scheme would create a new 'black economy and result in a significant reduction in VAT and revenue lost to the Irish exchequer'.
