2023-08-15 11:10:44
150 to 200 reports of environmental crimes per year in Austria, and the trend is rising – “Task Force Environmental Crime” launched in April 2023, primarily focuses on training
Vienna (OTS) – The police have been investigating in the service of environmental protection for 35 years. The investigative areas for “environmental crimes” were established in 1988 in the State Criminal Police Offices. “The police have been making an important contribution to environmental protection for more than three decades. I would like to thank the authorities for their commitment and commitment to environmental protection,” says Interior Minister Gerhard Karner.
In 1988, the investigative division was established as part of a major criminal justice reform. Since then, combating environmental crime has established itself as an important and demanding part of police work. The fields of activity range from illegal waste disposal and smuggling, soil, water and air pollution, crime in the food sector, doping and drug crime to interference in foreign hunting and fishing rights as well as species protection and animal cruelty. In Austria, there are 150 to 200 ads per year, and the trend is rising.
Zwtl.: Measures once morest environmental crime
The Ministry of the Interior relies on training and further education in the area of environmental crime. The area will be strengthened as part of the criminal service reform and professionalized by special departments. The “Task Force on Environmental Crime”, which was set up in April 2023, is already showing its first effects: As part of the “Task Force on Environmental Crime”, training courses on the topics of “asbestos” and “Alt – Motor Vehicles”. In addition to the training of employees, there is close cooperation with the state of Lower Austria with regard to combating environmental crime, the work of the experts and technical water supervision.
Zwtl.: Nationwide priorities
The focus is currently being placed on environmental crimes throughout Austria. These include illegal shipment of waste, illegal handling of materials containing asbestos, wildlife crime related to illegal hunting or trafficking, illegal puppy trade, and illegal trade and use of pesticides.
Questions & contact:
federal Ministry of Internal Affairs
Ministerialrat Markus Haindl, BA MA
Press Spokesman of the Federal Minister
+43 (0) 1-531 26 – 90 1021
markus.haindl@bmi.gv.at
www.bmi.gv.at
1692097947
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