The committee adopted the report by Giuseppe DI LELLO FINUOLI (EUL/NGL, I) approving the proposal under the consultation procedure subject to just two amendments. With a view to placing the emphasis on prevention, MEPs said that punishment should not be reserved solely for exceptionally serious incidents involving the death of individuals or serious injury to them. They therefore proposed that penalties should apply where the offences caused "substantial damage to persons". They also argued that the scope of protection must be extended and that penalties should apply in the event of substantial damage not only to animal or vegetable species but also to the protected environment.�