Rules would give more authority to environmental officers

A new draft law would grant law-enforcement powers to local environmental protection officers, allowing them to deal with pollution in a more effective and timely manner, experts said.

The fourth draft amendment to the Environmental Protection Law, which is under discussion at the National People's Congress Standing Committee, would empower county-level and above environmental protection agencies to freeze and seize property and machines from enterprises that are causing severe pollution.

"This clause can be interpreted as entitling environmental departments with the power to enforce law, so that many environmental officials do not have to work with local police when checking on illegal discharges of pollutants by local companies," said Zhai Yong, head of the law chamber of the Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee of the NPC.