The Ministry of the Environment has put up for public debate a draft law that increases penalties for environmental crimes, including sentences of up to 20 years in prison.

The Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests has launched a bill that significantly increases penalties for environmental crimes, in accordance with the European Directive on environmental crime.

The bill provides for prison sentences ranging from 1 to 20 years, depending on the severity of the act, including in cases where the crime has led to the death of a person. Additionally, new crimes are introduced, and the value of the daily fine for companies will be increased between 500 and 25,000 lei. Committing a crime in a protected natural area becomes an aggravating circumstance, and the attempt to commit a crime will also be penalized. The bill includes obligations for authorities regarding professional training, inter-institutional cooperation, and the development of a national strategy to combat environmental crimes. This regulation aims to discourage harmful behaviors towards the environment, considering European assessments that show current penalties are insufficient.