Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service

20 June 2006

PUBLICATION OF NEW ENVIRONMENTAL CRIME PROTOCOL

The Right Honourable The Lord Boyd of Duncansby QC, the Lord Advocate, and Dr Campbell Gemmell, Chief Executive of the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), have today launched a
new Protocol for the reporting and prosecution of environmental offences.

This new Protocol will help to formalise the existing arrangements and individual responsibilities of both the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and SEPA in dealing with environmental crime.

As well as clarifying partnership working through the well-established network of specialist prosecutors, the Protocol will help to improve coordination of offence reporting and ensure that there is a consistency of approach when dealing with such cases.

Today's launch coincides with a joint event being held in Dunblane, where staff from both agencies will undertake training on new water regulations.

Welcoming the protocol, Lord Boyd of Duncansby said:

" We are committed to effective liaison with SEPA to achieve the best outcome for the environment and the public interest, and I am impressed by the strong partnership working that has developed since the network of environmental prosecutors was set up. The Protocol will help to clarify the liaison arrangements for the specialist prosecutors and SEPA, and ensure that cases are dealt with consistently and efficiently."

Dr Campbell Gemmell added:

"We welcome this protocol as it further strengthens the relationship between SEPA and the specialist procurators fiscal, which we have successfully developed over the last few years. We are confident that it will make the prosecution of environmental crime in Scotland more effective."

Notes to editors:

1. A copy of the Protocol can be downloaded from:

a. the COPFS website at:
www.copfs.gov.uk, -
Main report,
Summary

b. the SEPA website at:
www.sepa.org.uk

2. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency enforces a range of laws relating to the environment in Scotland. SEPA investigates and reports any environmental offences to the Procurator Fiscal.

3. Clear and concise guidance on the environmental legislation governing business activities in over 100 business sectors in Scotland is available on the NetRegs website (
www.netregs.gov.uk).

4. Colin Bayes, Director of Environmental Protection and Improvement, SEPA, will be available for interview during office hours on Tuesday 20th June 2006 - Please contact Catherine Maguire in the SEPA Public Relations team to enter your interview bid.

COPFS Communications: 0131 247 2669

SEPA Public Relations: Catherine Maguire, 01786 452443