Forest – Photo by Ross
(STRASBOURG) – MEPs extended the list of environmental crimes Tuesday to include illegal timber trade, depletion of water resources, and serious breaches of EU chemicals legislation and pollution caused by ships.
MEPs ensured the new directive contains a so-called qualified offence, such as large-scale forest fires or widespread pollution of air, water and soil, which leads to an ecosystem being destroyed and is therefore comparable to ecocide.
Environmental crimes committed by individuals and company representatives would be punishable with imprisonment depending on how long-lasting, severe or reversible the damage is. Qualified offences could be punished with eight years, those causing the death of a person with ten years in prison and the other offences with up to five years of imprisonment.
All offenders would be required to reinstate the damaged environment and compensate for it. They might also face fines. For companies the fines will reach 3 or 5% of their yearly worldwide turnover or alternatively 24 or 40 million euro depending on the nature of the crime.
Whistleblowers reporting on environmental offences should be provided with support and assistance in criminal proceedings. Member states are to organise training for police, judges and prosecutors, prepare national strategies and organise awareness-raising campaigns to fight environmental crime.
European Parliament rapporteur Antonius Manders MEP said: “Under this agreement, polluters will pay. What is more, it is a major step in the right direction that any person in a leading position at a company responsible for polluting can be held liable as well the business itself. With the introduction of a duty of care, there is no where else to hide behind permits or legislative loopholes.”
The directive will enter into force on the twentieth day following its publication in the EU Official Journal. Member states will have two years to transpose the rules into their national systems.
Further information, European Parliament
