Filenews 14 February 2025
A series of bills with provisions aimed at improving fire prevention measures were approved today by the Plenary of the Parliament with the overwhelming majority of MPs voting in favour of the package of six amending bills, despite objections expressed by some, who spoke of excessively severe penalties and exorbitant fines, amounting, as mentioned during the session, up to €25,000.
It is noted that the approved bills tighten the framework for imposing penalties for fires, especially in the countryside, based on the principles of proportionality of penalties, following the large fires of recent years, which caused unprecedented destruction in the countryside of all provinces.
Among other things, it provides for the establishment of offences in relation to lighting a fire and causing a fire in the countryside, the power to impose an extrajudicial fine and the determination of the amount of the extrajudicial fine depending on the period of commission of the offence, the imposition of a fine equal to the amount required for the purposes of extinguishing the fire or environmental restoration of the damage caused, as well as issuing decrees prohibiting the use of tools, machinery, appliances or other equipment in the open air.
Also, two of the approved bills regulate the framework for lighting fires in areas within the development limits of municipalities and communities respectively, providing the power to impose an extrajudicial fine for committing the prescribed offenses within the development limits of municipalities and communities, respectively. In addition, the amount of the extrajudicial fine imposed is determined depending on the period within the calendar year in which the offence was committed.
The bill on forest fires, among other things, provides for the definition of the cases in which it is allowed to light a fire in a state forest, while separating endangerment offences from offences of causing fire with or without damage. It also establishes the offense of using, without permission, tools, machinery, devices or other equipment that during their use may cause fire, in an outdoor area in a state forest. It also provides for the possibility of issuing a court decision concerning the payment of all or part of the amount spent on fire suppression.
The Minister of Agriculture welcomed the vote
Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou welcomed Parliament's passage of the six amending bills, saying it "points the way to a new era for the protection of our forests".
In her post on 'X', the Minister notes that "we are modernizing and strengthening the legal framework with tougher penalties, a clear separation of offences and a uniform approach to infringements, preventing phenomena of impunity".
Among other things, penalties for arson and other violations are tightened, offences are clearly separated based on seriousness and intent, different criminal treatment of similar offences by different laws is ended and the possibility of out-of-court regulation is extended to more cases.
"Our forests are important and their protection is everyone's obligation," he concludes.
CNA
