Thanks a lot for passing me the floor and providing me with the opportunity to conclude this very important event. I would like to apologize on behalf of Marie Toussaint who has played a crucial role in this House to ensure a high degree of ambition against environmental crime and environment protection. As rapporteur in LIBE on the ECD, I am happy to see today, one year after the adoption of the final text, so much energy and willingness to keep this moving forward.  

As Commissioner Ribera said fighting against environmental crime will also be done through enforcing and implementing the Green Deal, this will deserve all our attention while texts adopted last mandate are under threats at the moment. 

Echoing again what has been said, we will need the involvement and collaboration from everyone, including law enforcers, the judiciary, international organisations, the private sector and NGOs to win this fight against environmental crime. While now legislation is in place, the question of enforcement is crucial and deserves proper attention from all stakeholders.  Indeed, efforts need to be made at all levels, collaboration is key to ensure that EU policies are properly implemented and enforced.

It is key to recall the interconnexion of environmental crime in the internal security context. We know that environmental crimes are a more and more ludicrous source of revenue for organised crime groups, and are often linked to other types of crime. It is key to ensure this is taken into account in the forthcoming internal security strategy but also treated with a high degree of priority by EU police and justice cooperation agencies. I am glad to see Europol and Eurojust as speakers today, showing commitment to this matter. In this field, police and justice cooperation, including with third countries is crucial. I hope this will also be followed up by DG Home in the European Commission as well.  

Corporate liability is a key aspect in fighting environmental crime. Criminals use legal businesses to smuggle illicit commodities and usually mix legal and illegal products together. Supply chain traceability and liability of legal persons is therefore a centrepiece. While very important pieces of legislation including Corporate sustainability due diligence for which I will be shadow in the International Trade committee, and Corporate sustainability reporting are under attack, we need to make sure EU laws better regulate private sector activities and ensure companies’ accountability and transparency along their supply chains are upheld while supporting private sector competitiveness. 
   

Enforcement will not be possible without allocating the necessary human and financial resources. The next MFF and its orientations will be key in that regard both at the local, regional and national levels. We also need to recall that it is by investing in prevention, investigation and prosecution that we will be able to get money back to repair. The creation in Mons, Wallonia Belgium for example of a specialized court in environmental crime has shown good results in that regard. 

So now all eyes are on the Member States with the transposition and implementation of the ECD. But also on the European Commission to ensure this is done adequately and timely. I believe there is indeed a strong political will from DG Just to ensure this.

Before concluding my speech, I would like to pay tribute to all environmental rights defenders whose life and work are often at risk due to their struggle to ensure environmental justice. Last week in Belgium, an environmental defender who has been documenting wrongdoings and pollution by Total Energie in Ecaussines, Wallonia, was put under pressure by authorities following a complaint by the company. We should remember the importance of the work by civil society and activists, and make our utmost to support and protect them.