All Wales Euro-MP Jill Evans (Plaid Cymru the Party of Wales) has welcomed the European Parliament's approval of tough new rules to compel polluters to pay for the damage they cause to the environment. Ms Evans voted in favour of the new regulations at the European Parliament, meeting this week in Strasbourg.

Whilst the new rules don't extend to nuclear pollution, oil slicks or indeed to GMOs, they will have the effect of forcing industries to pay for the clean up of the land and water pollution that they cause, for example by unsafe discharge of chemicals.

Speaking from Strasbourg, Plaid Cymru Deputy Leader Jill Evans MEP said,

"I would have liked to have seen these proposals go much further - particularly to take in environmental pollution caused by GMO cross contamination. Nonetheless this is an important step forward and I'm pleased that we've been able to enshrine the polluter pays principle within EU legislation in this way.

"All too often unscrupulous industries have been able to get away with causing terrible environmental damage, leaving the taxpayer to pick up the tab for the clean up.

"These new rules will send a clear message to potential polluters that they are going to have to pay for any damage they cause and as such I am confident that they will serve to discourage environmental pollution by industry.

"I urge the UK government to move quickly to implement this new regulation - there can be no excuses for delay in making the polluter pay."

Diwedd/Ends.