EA introduces unlimited fines for polluting firms

Companies found to be polluting the environment can be issued with unlimited fines from 11 December onwards by the Environment Agency, as part of the government’s Plan for Water.

The fines affect all businesses with environmental permits, including those in the agricultural sector, water and waste companies, and process industries.

A £250,000 cap has been removed for variable monetary penalties, with penalties now due to be issued proportionate to the size of the company in question and the nature of the offence.

See also: Fertiliser manufacturer fined £500k for polluting river

Offences that can result in financial penalties include agricultural pollution from slurry stores where waste is illegally discharged into watercourses without a permit, breaches of permit conditions, and illegal waste offences such as unpermitted waste management sites.

Defra secretary Steve Barclay said: “Polluters should be in no doubt that if they harm our precious habitats and waterways they will pay.

“By lifting the cap on these sanctions, we are simultaneously toughening our enforcement tools and expanding where regulators can use them. These changes will deliver a proportionate punishment for operators that breach their permits and cause pollution.”

Environment Agency executive director John Leyland said: “These new powers will allow us to deliver more penalties and help us to continue to hold polluters, including water companies, to account.”