Environment Agency criticised for failing to prosecute for air pollution

The Environment Agency in the north-east and North Yorkshire has been criticised for not prosecuting anyone for air pollution offences for the last five years.

MP Tim Yeo, chairman of the cross-party Environmental Audit Committee, spoke about his concern that the agency was not doing enough to reduce emissions in the area.

Speaking to the Northern Echo, he said: "Given that the north-east covers such a large area and is the site of a lot of heavy industry, it is surprising that no prosecutions are taking place."

An investigation conducted by the newspaper showed that the Environment Agency had not punished anyone for failing to adhere to air quality restrictions, despite the number of major power stations in the area.

In response to Mr Yeo's comments, an Environment Agency spokesperson said: "No companies have been prosecuted because they have not broken the law."

She added that the industries the agency regulates contribute less than 12 per cent of the total air pollution from particulates, while traffic and transport remain the key cause of poor air quality in the UK.

Posted by Claire Manning