Speaking in the Assembly, the Minister for the Environment said: “Responsible businesses who comply with the law are being undercut by the rogues and criminals who don’t. The range of measures I am announcing today will hit the worst offenders where it hurts most – in their pockets."
Announcing a package of measures to modernise and strengthen environmental regulation, the Minister said: “Through our Better Regulation for a Better Environment programme, we will make our regulatory system more proportionate, risk-based, accountable, consistent, transparent and targeted. The vast majority of businesses want to comply with the law – and we will support them by giving clearer guidance and by streamlining our processes."
Commenting on the powers of the Environment and Heritage Service (EHS) in tackling environmental crime, Arlene Foster said: “EHS investigators are better equipped than ever before to tackle serious environmental crime. Assets recovery is now the name of the game. It is more effective than fines as both a punishment and as a deterrent. Last year confiscation orders were used to recover earnings from illegal waste totalling over £833,000.
“I am inviting business and industry to work with us. I will chair a Better Regulation Board of top decision makers in sectors such as agriculture, construction and water.”
The Minister also said there would be restructuring and a change of culture within DOE. EHS will be retained and reorganised as an Agency of DOE, two independent Board members will be appointed and open Board meetings will be held.
The Minister said: “In EHS we have an impressive pool of intellectual capacity, practical ability and determination to get things done. This is a valuable and irreplaceable resource of which we can all be proud. I will retain it as a DOE Executive Agency and will launch it as the Northern Ireland Environment Agency.”
Notes to Editors:
- Since its formation in 2003, EHS’ Environmental Crime Team has investigated 5,779 illegal waste incidents, secured 299 convictions resulting in over £670,000 in court fines, 13 prison sentences and four confiscation orders totalling over £833,000.
- In carrying forward its better regulation agenda, EHS will work closely with those it regulates to raise awareness of obligations and good practice, to simplify compliance and engagement with its regulatory teams and to reward those organisations who actively identify and manage their risks to the environment.
- The Minister will formally launch “Better Regulation for a Better Environment” on May 29. The aim of this better regulation programme is to achieve more effective regulation while reducing the burden on businesses who comply with the law.
- Read the full Environmental Governance Statement .
- For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
