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<p>Despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, in 2020/21 the Environment
Agency stopped illegal activity at 722 sites, contributing to a 14% reduction in known
illegal sites from the previous year. In the same period, they prosecuted 12 individuals
and companies – leading to over £417,000 of fines. They also prevented the export
of more than 11,000 tonnes of illegal waste.</p><p> </p><p>Going forward, the government
is preparing significant reforms to continue to increase the pressure on illegal waste
operators. Our planned electronic waste tracking reforms will make it harder than
ever to mis-identify waste or dispose of it inappropriately. Planned changes to the
Carriers, Brokers and Dealers licensing regime will modernise licensing and make it
harder still for rogue operators to escape detection. This will come in addition to
measures in the Environment Act 2021 which gives agencies stronger powers of entry
and access to evidence in prosecuting waste crime.</p>
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