Surfers call for larger fines for polluters

Surfers Against Sewage have today appealed to the Minister of the Environment to ensure that polluters are made to pay the price for committing environmental crime.

The surfers are not alone in their demands, the Chairman and Chief Executive of the Environment Agency have also voiced their concerns over the level of fines that polluters face.

Vicky Garner of SAS said today;

"What is the point in having a system in place to prosecute polluters if the resultant fines don't make them think? It makes a mockery of the environmental regulators and gives the green light to polluters. Surely the only message that industry will glean from this situation is that it pays to pollute!"

"The only way to make polluters sit up and take notice is to hit them where it hurts, and that's in the pocket. A few thousand pounds will slip unnoticed out of the coffers of a multi-million pound corporation. Fifty thousand pounds might make them think twice about polluting a second time around!"

"As UK citizens we are increasingly told to think responsibly, to recycle our waste, to cut down on the amount of water we use and the energy we consume, yet right under our noses big business is getting away with environmental crime every day. This isn't a level playing field and in the interests of our health and the health of the environment, we urge the Minister to re-dress the balance".

SAS can be contacted on (01872) 553001

• Editors notes;The Environment Agency regulate the environmental performance of industry. They are responsible for prosecuting the offending business if they are in breach of the law.
• Magistrates are able to impose fines of up to £20,000 on polluters. In 1999 the average fine was £3,500. In 2000 this increased to £4,431