FNC passes amendments to environment law

Members of the Federal National Council passed a draft law that will crack down on environmental offences and regulate radiation and level of radioactive elements in air, water, food and soil.

The bill will also set up a national fund for environmental research, protection and development. The draft law, which introduces sweeping changes in the UAE Environmental Protection Law of 1999, would penalise offenders found guilty of polluting drinking and underground water with up to one year in prison and a fine of up to Dh2 million.

The draft law requires approval of the Cabinet and final endorsement into a law by President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan.It regulates radiation and the level of radioactive elements in air, water, food and soil.

Under the draft law, companies must minimise waste generation and disposal of waste must be done in keeping with the best technical methods as determined by the authorities. Means of disposal of waste will be regulated by the executive bylaws.

The draft law would cover businesses in free zones across the country. It includes tougher penalties for offenders convicted of failure to abide by air quality regulations. These offenders would face a prison term of at least one year, a minimum fine of Dh1 million or both, according to the draft law.