Brussels, 21/05/2008 (Agence Europe) - Polluting with radioactive substances or waste, damaging a protected site or any other illegal behaviour detrimental to the environment will, from now on, be considered criminal offences in all EU member states, under the terms of the text adopted by the European Parliament (EP) in plenary session in Strasbourg on Wednesday 21 May. On the same day, ambassadors to the EU, meeting in the COREPER, also gave their backing to the compromise reached with the EP on the same draft directive (see EUROPE 9363 and 93602). Formal adoption on first reading is, then, likely, since all that remains is for the Council to adopt the proposed legislation at a forthcoming meeting. The Hartmut Nassauer (EPP-ED, Germany) report, adopted by a large majority, supports the principle that governments should apply “effective, proportionate and dissuasive” criminal sanctions against any illegal behaviour likely to seriously injure people or damage air, soil, water, fauna or flora when committed intentionally or through serious negligence. The Commission would have liked to have gone further, also harmonising the levels of sanctions, but these remain the responsibility of member states, MEPs said, referring to Court of Justice of the European Communities case law. Member states will have to come into line with this directive 24 months at most after it comes into force. (B.C.)