The inclusion of agricultural tyres in the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme needs to be postponed until there is meaningful engagement with all stakeholders, according to the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA) environment chair, John Murphy.

The IFA chair has said that farmers will be directly impacted by the extension of the scheme, which will see an environmental levy charged on all new agricultural tyres.

“IFA is calling for the establishment of a stakeholder working group to provide a forum to alleviate concerns with regards [to] cost transparency, categorisation, market distortion, and competitiveness prior to the extension of the EPR scheme,” Murphy said.

According to the chair, other stakeholders including the Association of Farm and Forestry Contractors Ireland (FCI), the Irish Tyre Industry Association (ITIA), the Road Haulage Association, and the Coach Tourism and Transport Council, share the IFA’s concern and support the need for improved stakeholder engagement.

“The lack of meaningful engagement with stakeholders on the development of the scheme is a real weakness,” Murphy continued.

“Stakeholders have concerns as to whether the proposed scheme is fit for purpose, competitive, and will distort the market, these need to be addressed now before the scheme is extended to include agricultural tyres,” he added.

The IFA said it has written to Minister of State for circular economy, Alan Dillon to seek an urgent meeting to discuss farmers concerns.

The EPR scheme is used to find sustainable solutions to manage waste tyres. Up until 2025, the scheme was used for passenger cars, 4X4s, vans, and motorcycles.

According to the department, the expansion of the scheme will enable the environmentally sound management of all tyre categories.

The Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications has said that tyres which are improperly managed and disposed of pose risks to public health and the environment.

The Waste Management (Tyres and Waste Tyres) Regulations 2017 place certain obligations on those who supply tyres to the Irish market.