GOVERNMENT LETTING POLLUTERS GET AWAY WITH 'GREEN' MURDER - BAKER

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 30th Jul 2003

Norman Baker MP

Norman Baker MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary has slammed the Environment Agency's claim that they are getting tougher on polluters.

New figures released by Mr Baker show that the Government is failing to tackle the serious problem of landfill pollution, which is blighting the quality of life for people across the country.

The damning dossier of official figures, revealed by the Liberal Democrats, shows the full extent of "dirty Britain" and paints a picture of low fines and polluters getting away scot-free:

ONLY 0.5% of landfill pollution incidents result in a fine

Fines for offenders, when they are given, are tiny. The average fine is just over £6000

The North West is the landfill pollution hotspot of the nation with OVER 50% of the national pollution incidents

In one year there were 285 SIGNIFICANT or MAJOR landfill pollution incidents.

Commenting on the figures, Norman Baker MP, said:

"Pollution occurs daily, affecting the quality of life of thousands of people. The Government's failure to punish those responsible is letting polluters get away with 'green murder'.

"I doubt Government Ministers would be so lax if they had to live next to landfill sites and put up with the health impacts of illegal pollution."