The Irish Farm Film Producers’ Group (IFFPG) has announced a series of changes aimed at enhancing transparency and promoting competition within Ireland’s farm plastics recycling scheme. These modifications come after discussions with the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Competition (DG COMP) and are intended to address competition concerns raised by market participants.

The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC), Ireland’s national competition authority, will oversee the implementation of these changes. The adjustments are designed to ensure compliance with Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, which govern anticompetitive practices.

Under existing waste management regulations, producers and suppliers of farm plastics, such as silage wrapping and netting, are required to manage the plastic waste generated from their products. IFFPG operates the national recycling scheme through authorized waste collectors and bring centres.

Key changes include the removal of the obligation for IFFPG members to pass the levy costs down the supply chain, allowing them to decide how much of the cost to transfer. Additionally, while farmers must still provide a label code for proof of purchase, the bar code will no longer be necessary for payment verification at collection points.

Furthermore, IFFPG will now allow authorized waste collectors to charge less than the recommended collection fee, providing farmers with more options. Farmers will also have the freedom to use any bring centre, regardless of county boundaries, enhancing their choice in the recycling process.

The CCPC will continue to monitor the implementation of these commitments and encourages anyone with concerns about their impact on competition to reach out to their Antitrust division.