EU to punish environmental crimes

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The EU has urged tough sanctions on companies that break a ban on shipping toxic waste to developing countries.

Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas told the European Parliament he would put forward new laws by the year's end.

The move comes after a ship chartered by a Dutch company released toxic waste in the Ivory Coast last month, killing 10 people and making thousands ill.

The European Commission has long tried to criminalise big environmental offences, but EU nations have resisted.

According to the BBC's Alix Kroeger in Brussels, the Commission believes the Ivory Coast case gives its argument for such penalties fresh impetus.

Under European law, EU member states are banned from shipping their toxic waste to less developed countries.

Mr Dimas said the shipping of toxic waste to the Ivory Coast was a crime and should be treated as such.

"The incident has had disastrous consequences," he said.

Mr Dimas will put forward legislation by the end of the year on criminalising serious environmental offences, including the illegal shipment of waste.