Waste Exemptions: New Charges Now in Force – What Farmers Need to Know

From 1 July 2025, farmers across England now face new costs and registration rules when it comes to using waste exemptions on their land. These changes mark one of the biggest shake-ups to waste licensing in over a decade and will affect thousands of farms carrying out everyday activities like spreading compost, burning waste wood, or using rubble to repair tracks.

Here’s a quick look at what’s changed – and how to stay on the right side of the rules without paying more than you need to.

What’s Changed?
Under the new rules, all waste exemptions must now be registered online and come with a charge for the first time. The Environment Agency says the changes are designed to crack down on illegal waste activity and make monitoring more effective.

For most farming businesses, the headline figures are:

• £56 registration fee per site
• £88 compliance charge for farming exemptions

This means many farmers will now pay £144 every three years to stay compliant, provided they’re only using activities classed as "common farming exemptions."

What Are 'Farming Exemptions'?
Defra has published a list of exemptions it considers standard for agricultural use. These include:

• U1 – Using waste materials like rubble or soil in track repairs
• U4 – Burning untreated wood in a small appliance
• T29 – Composting plant material
• T32 – Turning green waste into mulch
• U10 & U13 – Spreading plant tissue or ash to land

These all fall under a flat compliance charge of £88 – a welcome cap, designed to make things easier for farms who regularly carry out these types of jobs.

When It Costs More
If you register other exemptions outside the farming list, you’ll start paying standard charges, which can be considerably higher.
For example:

• T9 (wood shredding) = £420
• U16 (land reclamation using waste) = £1,236

You’ll still pay the £56 registration fee too.

Quick Example:
Let’s say your farm registers only U1, T32, and U4 – that’s:

• £56 (registration) + £88 (compliance) = £144

But add a T9 exemption, and you’ll pay:

• £56 + £88 + £420 = £564

What Farmers Should Do Now:

• Check your current exemptions – Are they still valid? Are they on the farming list?
• Avoid over-registering – Only register what you actually use.
• Use one registration per site – Farms with multiple fields or areas may only need one site fee if they’re part of the same holding.
• Keep track of dates – Exemptions now last three years, and renewals will involve the same charges.
• Store your paperwork – Records must show how you’re complying with exemption rules.

Need a Hand?
If you’re unsure whether your farm’s exemptions qualify for the £88 cap – or if you’re facing a renewal and want to avoid overpaying – our rural team is here to help.

We can walk you through:

• Which exemptions are eligible
• How to register correctly
• Avoiding charges for non-farming activities

Speak to the Rural Team at Shouler & Son for tailored advice on 01664 560181 (option 3).

For further information, visit - Gov.uk – Waste Exemptions Guidance