Lib Dem Euro-MPs say "Make the polluter pay"

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 1st Sep 2003

Bexley & Bromley Lib Dem London Assembly candidate Duncan Borrowman and Sarah Ludford MEP on a recent local environmental clean up

Liberal Democrat Euro-MPs have backed a new law in the European Parliament to protect against damage from environmental accidents.

While disasters such as the sinking of the Prestige oil tanker on the coast of Spain seize the headlines, this new law would also crack down on the thousands of small scale pollution incidents.

Firms would have to curb the risk of damage and they would be financially liable for damage they cause.

London LibDem MEP Sarah Ludford said, "The European Parliament has rightly backed the 'polluter pays' principle. Having the law at EU level makes good sense because these problems - contamination of air and water - cross borders."

She added, "Conservative MEPs who voted against this new law should explain why they are apparently in favour of higher Council tax bills. Because if the basic liability does not rest with the (insured) farm or firm, the clean-up cost has to be borne by local taxpayers!"