VietNamNet Bridge – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will inspect adherence to environment protection regulations at 520 production and business establishments, industrial, export processing and hi-tech zones.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will inspect adherence to environment protection regulations at 520 production and business establishments, industrial, export processing and hi-tech zones. — Photo baodaknong.org.vn

These establishments could potentially cause serious environmental pollution this year.

They are located in 21 cities and provinces, including Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Hai Phong and Gia Lai, as well as Khanh Hoa, Kien Giang, Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen, along with Vinh Phuc, Dong Nai, Long An and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Inspection will particularly focus on establishments with total waste water discharge of over 200cu.m. per day.

The ministry will also examine implementation of inspection results from 2014-2016 of 219 firms found to have caused environmental pollution in Quang Ninh, Hung Yen, Dong Thap and Tien Giang, as well as Bac Lieu, Can Tho, Quang Tri and Phu Yen, along with Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Ngai.

The ministry is working with localities to continue inspecting and assessing sources of environmental pollution, polluted areas and areas with degraded environment nationwide to build a national data system on sources of pollution and map out solutions to address the issues.

It will also continue completing the draft of inspection results and administrative punishment decision on 825 establishments in 32 provinces and cities that were found to have polluted the environment in 2016.

Under the Government’s latest Decree 155/2016/ND-CP on administrative penalties in the environmental protection sector, which came into effect on February 1, the highest administrative fine for organisations caught violating regulations related to environmental protection is VND2 billion (US$88,800).

The decree has detailed regulations on the methods, levels of punishment, measures for strengthening penalties imposed on violators and inspections of the sector.

Violations related to environmental protection that are mentioned in the decree include violations of laws governing waste management, machines, import of material, biological substances and mineral exploitation.

It also includes violations related to biological diversity, natural ecology and animal protection.

VNS