Waste Dumped In Brazil Could Hurt UK Companies

The British Government's Environment Agency says companies and individuals responsible for transporting hundreds of tonnes of hazardous waste to Brazil could face prosecution. The Environment Agency's Liz Parks says British courts take the dumping of hazardous waste very seriously. Brazil has demanded that the waste be sent back to Britain and the UK Government says it is now working on ways to have it returned.The waste, found in about 90 shipping containers, included syringes, condoms and bags of blood. Ms Parks says British courts take the dumping of hazardous waste very seriously. "We've got the powers that we can take action," she said. "We do prosecute people. We've had a number of successful prosecutions in recent years, and in fact in the Crown Courts and prison sentences are imposed. "The UK courts do take this kind of activity very, very seriously."