The Environment Agency have an obligation to act on third party disclosures to them concerning malpractice on environmental matters. From 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 they received 28 disclosures.
The Agency have published a report including a summary of each disclosure, the action taken and the impact this had on the Environment Agency. These disclosures have been made by 'workers' or other third parties.
One disclosure included issues with: permit conditions; mis-description of waste; acceptance of non-permitted wastes; and storing of waste. Other disclosures involved: unlawful movement of fish; permit breaches; land contamination; illegal disposal of waste; illegal waste sites; land and water pollution; oil and chemical spills.
Actions taken ranged from: site inspections; enforcement notices; National Incident Reporting System used; intelligence stored on the MIMEX database; ongoing investigations; responsible persons notified; and discussions with reporters or other agencies for further information.
One matter disclosed was not within the Environment Agency's remit and was therefore closed. In the case of the illegal waste site, the site operator was prosecuted, with the Agency pursuing a Proceeds of Crime Act case.
The impact these disclosures had included: improved incident handling process; better training for Agency officers; the Agency notified of permit breaches; and better awareness of environmental risk to ensure future compliance.
As a result of such disclosures the Agency is able to protect and improve the environment, as well as support healthier and safer communities.
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