Pollution fines 'too small to deter big business'

Wednesday, 30 July 2003 12:00 AM

The Government's environmental watchdog is warning that large companies in the UK are failing to learn the lessons from committing serious environmental crimes because they are to low.

The Environment Agency warned that despite an increase in the level of fines they are not enough to deter large companies from causing pollution. The claim has been backed by the environmental group, Friends of the Earth, who state that the fines are 'too trivial' to have any real impact.

The Environment Agency revealed that in England and Wales the number of fines for environmental pollution increased by 36% and prosecutions have increased by 13%. However, the average fine was only £8,744, although this was an increase from £6,401 in 2001.

The Agency highlights that 20% of the poorest performing companies in 2002 are repeat offenders. The top 2002 offenders included United Utilities, Thames Water, Anglian Water Services, BP UK, 3C Waste Ltd, TotalFinaElf and Tesco, all of which were some of the worst offenders in 2001.

Barbara Young, the agency's chief executive, commented, "Courts are getting tougher on environmental offenders - but fines are still small change for big business. It is disappointing, yet again, to see so many household names at the top of the enforcement tables, and so many repeat offenders."

Ms Young argued that it was 'extraordinary' that large businesses were willing to risk their reputations with 'avoidable neglect' of their environmental responsibilities.

The figures showed that the only industry to see year-on-year increases in the number of pollution episodes was the chemicals industry. The waste industry, which is the most frequent polluter, achieved a 56% decrease in the number of serious pollution incidents. Whilst the number of serious incidents caused by business fell 21% in 2002 compared to 2001.

The water industry is responsible for one in six serious pollution incidents and was fined a total of almost £1 million. Incidents affecting water increased 23% in 2002 when compared to 2000.

Friends of the Earth's Matt Phillips told BBC One's Breakfast programme 'Some of the fines are less that what a Chief Executives earns in a single day, so some companies are not going to be taking them seriously and that's because, fundamentally, the duties that the companies have in respect of the environment are insufficient to stop them committing these crimes in the first place.'

The Environment Agency reported that the metals industry, farming and the construction industry have all achieved significant reductions in the number of serious pollution incidents.

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