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NFU has supported new civil powers for the Environment Agency and Natural England, which will give greater flexibility to enforce environmental law.
The sanctions will give regulators more flexibility to respond in ways proportionate to the seriousness of non-compliance, to create a fairer and more effective approach in enforcing environmental criminal law offences in England and Wales.
NFU Head of Policy Services Andrew Clarke said: “We appreciate the work that Defra and its regulators have put in to develop a more flexible and proportionate approach to environmental enforcement, and for having involved us in that work. The availability of sanctions, other than just criminal prosecution, in dealing with business which do not comply with the law is long overdue.
“We have made it clear that there needs to be clarity and transparency on these extra sanctions for regulators and their use needs to be proportionate and consistent. We call on regulators to use a ‘no surprises’ approach when carrying out enforcement action on agricultural businesses. The new sanctions must not replace existing informal methods such as advice and guidance.”
Read the NFU briefing on the right under Documents.
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