This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Enforcement of environmental law
23/11/2006
Proposals to improve the enforcement of environmental law were published today in a consultation paper which looks at ways in which the criminal justice system could work better.
The consultation looks at:
- How and when financial penalties could be more widely used without reference to court
- Whether there is a case for a specialist environmental court
- How training and guidance for enforcing authorities can be improved
- Whether public participation could be increased
- Streamlining duties placed on business without compromising compliance with environmental law
Environment Minister Ross Finnie said:
"I want to reduce environmental crime in Scotland and enforcement is an essential part of securing environmental and wildlife protection.
"We have already made changes to strengthen enforcement, through doubling the fines for a range of offences and creating a network of environmental specialists in the Crown Office and Procurators Fiscal Service.
"While I acknowledge that environmental law is wide ranging and often complex, I am convinced that we can do even more to strengthen its enforcement. I want to see a fair, flexible strategy that includes effective responses at all levels, with credible sanctions to ensure that tough and swift action can be taken against those who fail to meet acceptable standards.
"This consultation looks at ways in which to achieve that and I would urge everyone with an interest to respond."
The consultation considers pollution, waste, wildlife crime, contaminated land, drinking water and the historic environment.
It supports the Partnership Agreement commitment to:
"take strong action to reduce environmental crime through strengthening the enforcement of environmental law including consideration of the establishment of environmental courts and other options for improving prosecution and dispute resolution."