Former minister calls for stricter rules after 95 environmental accidents

The former Saxon Environment Minister Wolfram Günther sees serious weaknesses in water protection. In 95 accidents last year, around 60 cubic meters of substances hazardous to water were released into the environment, explained the Green Party MP, who had submitted a minor question to the state parliament. According to this, around 85 percent of these were substances from agriculture such as liquid manure, slurry or silage seepage.

None of these accidents resulted in the initiation of administrative offence or criminal proceedings, emphasized Günther. "There is obviously a lack of awareness of environmental damage here." The state government must create binding regulations for the handling of water-polluting substances and significantly expand controls. "There needs to be effective sanctions for violations and clear prevention standards, especially in the agricultural sector."