Reacting to the European Parliament’s overwhelming support in favour of a Directive on criminal sanctions to protect the environment, Green Party Senator De Búrca and Spokesperson on European Affairs  said:  

“I welcome this first ever proposal for a European Directive on criminal sanctions, which establishes that serious environmental offences should be considered criminal in the European Union, whether committed intentionally or through gross negligence.  These include pollution of air, soil and water causing harm to people, flora and fauna, as well as serious cases of illegal shipment of waste. 
 

Senator De Búrca also welcomed the success of the European Greens in their opposition to any limited approach regarding protected habitats, flora and fauna and welcomed the improvement to the first draft of the Directive. “However while the proposed Directive marks a positive first step, it is far from perfect” says Senator De Búrca. ” In particular I regret the limits imposed on the scope of the Directive by adding two Annexes with a list of Directives that define what is ‘unlawful’ under European environmental law”.  

According to the Green Party Senator, responsibility for implementing the Directive, as well as imposing and setting the level of fines for criminal damage to the environment, will be in the hands of Member States. “It  will be important to closely follow their actions in this regard. Thanks to this Directive,Member Stateswill no longer be able to systematically waive penalties for environmental crimes. This is definitely an important achievement in terms of environmental protection.”
 NOTE :The European Parliament’s vote was on Hartmut Nassauer report (A6-0154/2008) Protection of the environment through criminal law

For further information please contact •Senator Déirdre de Búrca on (086) 806 14 50

Filed under:
European Affairs, Press Release by Deirdre