Minister Trutnev briefed the President on the ministry's efforts to monitor the ecological situation in the country.
Yury Trutnev said that legislative changes that substantially increase environmental non-compliance penalties are being prepared: by 2016 these fines will be increased twenty-fold.
President Medvedev noted that this gives business enough time to make all necessary changes, and those who do not will face very severe penalties.
Mr Medvedev also stressed the need to improve environmental legislation.