Ad
Brussels lists a set of offences such as unlawful treatment of waste to be considered criminal in the EU (Photo: European Commission)

Brussels seeks powers to put polluters in jail

The European Commission is ready to move into national governments' criminal law, proposing to harmonise what constitutes serious environmental crimes and what the minimum level of penalties should be across the EU.

The draft paper – to be introduced on Thursday (8 February) and seen by EUobserver – calls for "more dissuasive sanctions for environmentally harmful activities, which typically cause or are likely to cause substantial damage to the air, soil, water, animals or plants".

Get EU news that matters

Back our independent journalism by becoming a supporting member

Already a member? Login here
Brussels lists a set of offences such as unlawful treatment of waste to be considered criminal in the EU (Photo: European Commission)

Tags

Ad
Ad
Ad