Polluter pays. The government waives a controversial amendment – Ouest-France

The government withdrew Tuesday night in committee in the Assembly, an amendment to the bill on biodiversity, which was to touch the principle of “ecological damage” .

the version rewritten by the Government provided, inter alia that “regardless of the damage repaired under the terms of the common law, is serviceable (.. .) ecological damage resulting from abnormal damage to the elements and ecosystem functions and the collective benefits derived by the man of the environment “.

Anger associations and deputies But the text also added that “is not repairable (…) the prejudice arising from an infringement permitted by laws, regulations and international commitments France or by certificates issued for their application “. Concretely, this exempted polluters compensation for the damage, since their activity was authorized by law.

An amendment was cringe some MPs, including the former Minister of Ecology, Delphine Batho (PS), which denounced an “GREG” and “questioning of the polluter pays principle” , born in the wake of the sinking the oil tanker Erika in December 1999. in addition to several associations and NGOs, including WWF, the former Environment Minister and lawyer Corinne Lepage, also expressed his anger on Twitter.

A second reading on March 15 Stressing the goal of enshrine in law the principle of ecological damage and rejecting any idea of ​​attempting to “constitutional principle of polluter pays” , Ms. Pompili, Secretary of State of Biodiversity, quickly announced in committee withdrawing government amendment.

the bill will be debated at second reading in the Chamber on March 15.