Natural Resources Wales (NRW) has launched a public consultation on its draft enforcement and sanctions policy, which determines how the government body tackles waste crime.
By doing this, it hopes to allow the people of Wales to “have their say” on NRW’s approach to tackling environmental crime and make the policy easier to understand.
The draft policy sets out the general principles NRW will look to follow in relation to enforcement and sanctioning.
In the policy, NRW explains that where an offence may have occurred, there are a range of “formal enforcement powers and sanctions” available to rectify any environmental damage and punish any offences committed.
The updated policy clarifies how it does this and asks the public to submit responses and suggestions to steps taken.
NRW’s Enforcement and Sanctions Policy public consultation opened on 16 August and will run until 27 September.
‘Priority’
Nadia De Longhi, interim head of regulation at NRW, said: “Tackling environmental crime is a priority for NRW and, to ensure this, we apply an extensive range of tools and approaches for enforcement and sanctions, including warnings, fixed penalties, cautions, enforcement undertakings and prosecution in Court.
“These sanctions are designed to prevent illegal activity taking place, punish wrong-doers and seek redress for communities and individuals affected by illegal activity.
“Ultimately, the sentences for prosecution cases are decided by the Court, with any fines awarded paid to Her Majesty’s Treasury. However, the aim of our revised Enforcement and Sanctions Policy is to make the thinking behind our decisions on enforcement clearer.
“We also want to give people a greater understanding on how and why we take different approaches to tackling individual cases.”
UK
A number of initiatives have been implemented throughout the UK to crackdown on waste crime in recent months.
This includes a letter written by the Hertfordshire Waste Partnership which has pressed the government to revaluate fines given to fly-tippers (see letsrecycle.com story).
The Environment Agency continues to highlight ongoing operations to tackle waste crime in England, while the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) has warned of an increase in waste crime trends across Scotland (see letsrecycle.com story).
Useful links
Enforcement and Prosecution Policy
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
