Environment Agency consults on revised enforcement and sanctions policy

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The Environment Agency has launched a consultation on updates to its enforcement and sanctions policy, which it described as evolutionary rather than a fundamental alteration.

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It wants to make it easier for offenders, in appropriate cases, to make early and acceptable enforcement undertaking offers, and has developed a new calculator for loss of natural capital by water environment offenders.

The consultation runs until 15 January 2018.

Proposals include having a single document to replace the separate Enforcement and Sanctions Statement and Enforcement and Sanctions Guidance, which the agency said would remove duplication and add clarity.

It also proposes to use the Definitive Guideline for the Sentencing of Environmental Offences to calculate financial penalties and to use a natural capital methodology to describe damage to water environment and encourage suitable enforcement undertaking offers where long term damage has occurred.

Mark Smulian