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Who pays Environment Agency pollution fine?

26 April 2006

                                                                                    Ewan Larcombe

67 Lawn Close

                                                                                    Datchet SL3 9LA

                                                                                    Tel       01753 544302 (home)

An open letter to Sir John Harman - Chairman - Environment Agency

Copy to:          Barbara Young - Chief Executive - Environment Agency

                        Margaret Beckett - Secretary of State - Defra

                        Eliot Morley - Minister of State- Climate Change and Environment

Dear Sir

Who pays Environment Agency pollution fine?

It has not been widely reported that in addition to having recently celebrated their tenth anniversary, the omnipotent Environment Agency (EA) have pleaded guilty to pollution for the first time.  The EA, who are so quick to take legal action against offenders, now have first-hand experience of being on the receiving end!

In a private prosecution brought by the owner of fishing rights in Devon, the EA and their contractors have admitted allowing cement waste to pollute a river during the construction of a flow monitoring station.  Although the size of the fine has still to be determined, I would be very interested to know who will be funding the EA penalty and costs!

Can I be confident that EA management will be making generous personal contributions proportional to their remuneration and culpability in this matter?  So often the responsible individuals hide behind the corporate shield, but I don’t see why the taxpayer should have to foot the bill for EA incompetence and/or negligence! 

Can you please confirm that any fines/costs associated with this case will not be met from the public purse?

Yours faithfully

Ewan Larcombe