NI Environment Minister Arlene Foster has said her association with the newly formed Better Regulations Board will not take a "soft approach".

Speaking at a meeting of the Board yesterday, aimed at developing a working partnership between industry and commerce in Northern Ireland, the Minister said: "We need better designed and better implemented regulation to protect our natural and built environments and to ensure that business can easily operate in away that minimises their environmental impact."

The inaugural Board meeting, comprising business representative and officials, discussed how businesses could be supported to improve their environmental performance, and put in place a more streamlined regulatory system, which works effectively for everyone.

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Minister Foster outlined her intentions for the Board: "This is not a soft approach. It is a sensible approach. Better regulation means just that - regulation which is fit for purpose and easily understood."

This follows Ms Foster's announcement on a range of measures to modernise and strengthen environmental regulation, earlier this week.

The boards will work closely with the EHS's Environmental Crime Team, which, since its formation in 2003, has investigated 5,779 illegal waste incidents, secured 299 convictions resulting in over £670,000 in court fines, 13 prison sentences and four confiscation orders totalling over £833,000.

As part of the better regulation agenda, EHS plans to work closely with those it regulates to raise awareness of obligations and good practice. It hopes to simplify compliance and engagement with its regulatory teams and to reward those organisations who actively identify and manage their risks to the environment.

(PR)