Latest news with #EnvironmentProtectionAuthority
Business Recorder
03-06-2025
- Automotive
- Business Recorder
EPA bans substandard fuel
LAHORE: The Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has imposed a province-wide ban on the use of substandard fuel in motor vehicles, declaring that no vehicle on Punjab's roads may operate using petrol or high-speed diesel that does not meet the specifications approved by the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). In a notification issued by EPA Director General Dr Imran Hamid Sheikh, it was stated that violations of this order will be punishable under Section 17 of the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997. An EPA spokesperson clarified that any petrol or diesel lacking OGRA-approved standards will be deemed substandard. Vehicles running on such fuels will be prohibited from using public roads. Moreover, no petrol pump will be allowed to store or sell fuel that does not comply with OGRA standards. The directive takes immediate effect across Punjab, and inspections at fuel stations are set to begin without delay, according to the DG Environment. 'Strict action will be taken against all retailers and suppliers found dealing in substandard fuel,' Dr Imran warned, adding that enforcement teams will ensure full compliance with the new policy. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
The Age
22-05-2025
- Politics
- The Age
Rubbish city: These Melbourne suburbs are done with being dumping grounds
Driving along Melton's highways, rural roads and streets of new housing estates, it's impossible not to notice them: the piles of old mattresses, tyres and random household or construction waste strewn across the outer-western municipality. And the problem is costing the local council a mint. More than $3 million has been spent so far this financial year cleaning up more than 6000 tonnes of illegally dumped rubbish – enough to fill about 200 large garbage trucks. The council has now spearheaded a push to call for state-led reform to crack down on a rising scourge of illegal dumping that disproportionately affects outer-metropolitan areas. At a Municipal Association of Victoria meeting, the state's 79 councils unanimously voted for a resolution put forward by Melton council urging the Victorian government to develop a prevention and education plan to combat illegal dumping. The motion, which was classified as a significant priority, also asks the government to divert money collected from the waste levy to help heavily impacted councils and increase resources for more enforcement by the Environment Protection Authority. Currently, policing is shared between councils and the environment authority. MAV president Jennifer Anderson said illegal dumping had become a major issue that required a uniform statewide approach. 'The fact that the resolution was passed unanimously highlights that the local government sector appreciates the impact this has on councils where it is taking place,' she said. Melton Mayor Steve Abboushi said local governments could not afford to keep working in silos – a lot of rubbish tossed in outer areas comes from outside these municipalities, with some cowboy operators choosing to dump illegally rather than pay tip fees.
ABC News
05-05-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Tasmanian salmon deaths halved in March, indicating mass mortality event is over, EPA says
The Tasmanian salmon industry's mass mortality event is over, the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) says, months after dead fish and fatty globules began washing up on beaches in the state's south. The state's environment watchdog says The companies reported 3,395 tonnes of fish waste in March, down from 6,300 in February. The data showed no salmon went into landfill sites in March, with most of the waste going to land spreading and rendering. In March, the peak body for Dead salmon floating in the enclosed fish pens near Southport in February. ( Supplied: Bob Brown Foundation ) In a statement on Tuesday, EPA chief executive Catherine Murdoch said conditions were improving. "Water temperatures are falling and there has been a significant decline in the number of pens above the mortality reporting thresholds in April," Ms Murdoch said. Water quality improves, no antibiotics detected Water quality in the impacted area has also improved, with independent environmental monitoring of water quality conducted by the EPA no longer Photo shows a skip bin with salmon carcasses With Tasmania's salmon companies reeling from unprecedented losses due to disease and warm weather, the industry is told it will face investigation by the Environment Protection Authority. "Water quality and beach sediments at four beaches in the southern D'Entrecasteaux Channel found all samples to be below the detection limit for the antibiotic oxytetracycline," the statement read. "As part of this program, the EPA collected water samples in the last two weeks of March at 10 offshore locations and a significant number of wild fish at four locations within the southern D'Entrecasteaux Channel for analysis and none of these samples detected any antibiotic residues." The EPA had previously reported February's dead fish waste at about 5,500 tonnes, or roughly 6 per cent of the industry's annual production. The dead fish came from pens in the D'Entrecasteaux Channel, in south-eastern Tasmania, owned by Huon Aquaculture and Tassal. Mandated industry reporting on salmon mortalities began earlier this year, with the EPA saying they intend to publish data quarterly going forward.
Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Punjab CM launches Environment Protection Force
Listen to article Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Wednesday inaugurated the province's first dedicated Environment Protection Force, marking a major step in Pakistan's environmental governance. The launch ceremony in Lahore featured the passing out parade of the newly formed force, attended by senior officials, ministers and dignitaries. The Chief Minister also introduced two key environmental systems — the Environmental Approval Management System and the Emission Testing System — aimed at improving pollution control and regulating vehicle emissions. CM Maryam Nawaz personally inspected a vehicle and applied the first official emission testing sticker to symbolically launch the system. Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb briefed attendees on the operational framework of the new force, which has been structured to tackle a wide range of environmental issues across Punjab. The force is divided into specialised units focused on combating plastic waste in cities, controlling dust and dengue, protecting water resources, monitoring emissions, and overseeing industrial and hospital waste management. In a symbolic gesture, the chief minister hoisted the flag of the Environment Protection Authority and announced the provision of 25 hybrid vehicles and 200 electric bikes to the new force. The fleet is expected to improve operational efficiency while promoting clean transport initiatives. Additionally, 360-degree surveillance vehicles, thermal drones and mobile air quality stations have been introduced for real-time environmental monitoring. In her address, Maryam Nawaz called the establishment of the force a milestone in the province's fight against environmental hazards and a reflection of the government's long-term commitment to creating a safer, greener Punjab.
The Independent
18-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
Hundreds of small cockatoos dead in suspected mass poisoning in Australia
Hundreds of corellas have been discovered either dead or in critical state in New South Wales, Australia, in what's suspected to be a mass poisoning event. The New South Wales Environment Protection Authority said they launched an investigation and started collecting samples from Newcastle, Carrington and Hamilton areas after distressed birds were seen falling out of trees on Monday. Many birds were found disoriented, bleeding, or in distress, with over 60 euthanized by a local vet. They were found in parks, shopping centres, on ovals and in front yards. There are fears that more birds may be affected in the coming days. Corellas, a kind of white cockatoo, often come in conflict with farmers as they cause significant damage to farms, orchards, and sometimes even buildings. Jason Gordon, the Environment Protection Authority's executive director of regulatory operations, described the situation as 'distressing' and said the corellas also suffered from paralysis and an inability to fly. 'The misuse of pesticides, whether deliberate or unintentional, is completely unacceptable and carries heavy penalties,' he said. Hunter Wildlife Rescue said that the incident was likely the result of poisoning. 'They are all over the neighbourhood. We are getting calls from members of the public who are finding them in their front yards, they are being found on ovals,' the rescue organisation's head, Kate Randolph, said. 'Everyone's working together. It's a heartbreaking situation.' Dr Tania Bishop, a vet with Australia 's largest wildlife rescue organisation Wires also said that mass poisoning was a likely explanation. However, she told the Guardian that toxicology results identifying potential poisons could take weeks. 'Testing will include ruling out bird flu and inspecting impacted locations for evidence of potential pesticide misuse,' the Environment Protection Authority said. 'We're also contacting several vets across the Newcastle area to confirm the numbers of sick and dead birds, and where exactly they've been found.' A practitioner at the Hamilton Veterinary Clinic told the Newcastle Herald he had never seen anything like this in his 13 years there. 'They are in agony,' he said. 'They spread their wings and look at you as if to say help me. It's absolutely horrible.' The incident has caused outrage in the community. 'This is absolutely disgusting! These creatures are our Native Australian birds and have as much right as we do to this earth! We are here to protect them,' one resident posted on Facebook. 'I hope the perpetrators are caught and held accountable and rot!' Another wrote: 'What sick human would do this.' 'This is just too sad,' said another. 'What is wrong with some people. These are living breathing animals. We share, not own this planet.' The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported in 2023 that farmers in Victoria were using eagles and falcons to deter corellas and other nuisance birds in a humane, non-lethal way to protect their crops. The trained raptors would fly over the affected areas, scaring the corellas without attacking them.
