An Aberdeenshire scrap-metal recycler who tried to avoid his environmental responsibilities has been fined at Aberdeen Sheriff Court. Bernard Porter of Whitecairns, Balmedie failed to pay SEPA charges for 4 years, resulting in his waste management licence being suspended. He pled guilty to treating and keeping waste without a licence and was fined £250.

Mr Porter, who trades as N & B Porter at Shiels quarry, avoided paying more than £4,000 in fees between 1997 and 2001. A significant proportion of SEPA's income comes from industry and is essential to SEPA's efforts to protect and improve the environment.

Bob McDonald of SEPA's Fraserburgh office said: "The 'polluter pays' principle is fundamental to our work and businesses can't choose whether or not this applies to them. It is also very unfair on those who take their responsibilities seriously and who pay their fees. We would rather not have taken this action but SEPA can't ignore the non-payment of fees that help to protect and improve our environment."

Mr Porter has now paid the full amount and his licence is no longer suspended.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

Mr Porter holds a waste management licence. He did not pay the related fees between 1997 and 2001. SEPA gave him a number of verbal and written warnings and then served a formal notice suspending his waste management licence using powers under the Environment Act 1995. This is the first time SEPA has used these powers since acquiring them.

Mr Porter carried on his business, contrary to the Environmental Protection Act 1990. He pled guilty at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on 2 May 2002, sentence was deferred three times to allow him to make payment in full, and he was fined on 22 August 2002.