EU needs to get tough on 'green crimes'

12.40.45pm GMT Fri 9th Feb 2007

Today's plans by the European Commission to turn over environmental offences to the criminal courts have been welcomed by Liberal Democrat MEP for the South West and Gibraltar Graham Watson.

Speaking from Branscombe in Devon, Graham Watson MEP said:

"Law is made at European level in those areas where all Member States recognise the need for trans-national action. The environment is an obvious case. However such action remains but an empty gesture if it cannot be enforced."

"The Commission is not proposing anything new here but simply taking measures to close down the loopholes in the system that allow unscrupulous individuals to pollute our rivers and our seas for financial gain by exploiting the wide differences in national criminal sanctions. Anyone who wishes to see our environment protected for future generations and believes in the rule of law must welcome these proposals."

Member States agreed in Tampere in 1999 to introduce criminal sanctions to enforce environmental legislation. The Justice and Home Affairs Council approved a measure 4 years ago, in January 2003, on the initiative of Denmark. But this measure was struck down by the European Court of Justice in September 2005 as its legal base did not reflect the intended aim of protecting the environment. Today's proposal is the renewed attempt to place a system of sanctions on the statute book, whilst leaving a degree of flexibility for Member States to determine their own levels of fines and sentencing.