Features and specifics of the object of ecological crime
The article is devoted to the specific characteristics of the object of environmental offenses, its differences from other types of offenses. The author suggests that the essential points for the formation of the concept of environmental offenses are environmental law and the mandatory presence of harm to the environment and to human health. Environmental law is a system of existing relations for the rational use of natural resources and their protection, based on the implementation of the environmental requirements of environmental legislation. An integral part of environmental law is environmental safety, i.e. the condition of protection of vital environmental interests of man, which provides the realization of his rights to life, healthy and favorable for life environment. The article proves that the natural object is a mandatory characteristic of ecological offence, thus, to be considered natural, the object must have a natural origin and contain in conjunction with other elements of the environment and the interdependence of them. Existing property status of natural object does not mean that the encroachment on such object relates to offences against property. It depends on whether the infringement involves harm to the environment or poses a threat of causing such harm. Based on the characteristics and significance of natural objects, the author insists on the need to maintain a differentiated approach to legal regulation of responsibility for environmental and economic crimes.