The European Public Prosecutor’s Office and Environmental Crime: Further Competence in the Near Future?

Abstract

This article envisages the possible extension of the European Public Prosecutor’s Office’s competences in the field of environmental protection. The author first presents an overview of the Office’s competences under the current legislation and, second, analyses suggestions on extending these competences specifically to the field of environmental crime. The case is made that a stronger, more comprehensive scope of competence for the EPPO would strengthen its position in the EU. This warrants an extension of the Office's jurisdiction to other types of crime, especially in the fight against cross-border crime such as environmental crime.