Waste: Crime
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what weight is given to environmental harm when determining penalties for waste crime.
Answered by Mary Creagh
The sentencing guidelines for waste crime offences take into account environmental harm, for example, if there is polluting material of a dangerous nature and if there will be any effect on air or water quality, amenity value or animal health or flora. The Waste Crime Action Plan commits Defra to working with the Ministry of Justice and their partners to explore whether penalties for waste crime offences reflect the severity of the crime, and if not, what more can be done to ensure that those who commit these offences will face appropriate punishment. Any changes will build on the existing penalties regime.
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