Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called for increasing responsibility of companies blamed for environmental pollution in Russia.
"We should think of increasing responsibility for environmental offences," Medvedev said during a session of the State Council on ecology. "The responsibility should be tough. I want everyone to understand this."
The Russian president said an effective mechanism for compensating environmental damage should be introduced and the offenders should bear all the responsibility for clean-up measures, including at the site of an oil spill.
At the same time, Medvedev said companies should be given time to implement new environmentally friendly technologies so that they do not conceal information on the real environmental impact in fear of immediate punishment.
"That's why a transitional period should be given when businessmen may take all necessary measures and the state provides the business community with incentives for implementing environmentally friendly technologies," Medvedev said.
"After this period, sanctions should be in full force, including bankruptcy and liquidation of a company, regardless of its other merits," the Russian leader warned.
Medvedev also called for updating national standards for environmental protection, which were introduced in the 1940s-1950s, since they are inconsistent with the modern state of the environment.
Russian Energy Minister Sergei Shmatko said on Monday rules regulating the development of Russia's offshore deposits may be toughened following the major oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
VNUKOVO (Moscow Region), May 27 (RIA Novosti)
