EU takes legal action vs states for breaching environment rules

EU takes legal action vs states for breaching environment rules

	Published : Wed, 17 Oct 2007 11:18 By : Agencies Print this Story

BRUSSELS (Thomson Financial) - The European Commission has launched legal action against many of the EU's member states for breaching various European environment regulations.

Amongst the commission's moves, it has opened infringement proceedings against France, Italy, Spain, Slovenia and the UK for exceeding limits on concentrations of sulphur dioxide (S02), an air pollutant that can cause respiratory problems and aggravate cardiovascular disease.

It has also asked 23 countries to outline the measures they are taking to reduce levels of airborne particles, known as PM10, to meet EU standards.

The particles can cause asthma, cardiovascular problems, lung cancer and premature death.

In addition, the commission has started legal action against Belgium, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Finland and Sweden for not properly implementing EU legislation to tackle electrical and electronic equipment waste and the hazardous substances contained in such products.

It is carrying out compliance checks in other EU countries and warned that it may take further legal action over electronic waste and and hazardous substances.

The commission has also sent a final written warning to Austria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden for failing to implement emergency plans for chemical plants.

It could take any country to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) if it does not respond to the warning within two months.

In separate action, it has sent the UK a final written warning for not complying with an ECJ ruling on environmental impact assessments.

The commission has also sent the UK a first written warning for failing to implement an ECJ judgement on the treatment of urban waste water in Bangor, Brighton, Broadstairs, Corelaine, Donaghadee, Margate and Portrush.

Luxembourg has also been warned that it will be taken to the ECJ and possibly face fines unless it brings its waste water treatment up to EU standards.

Belgium has already received a first written warning that it could face a second court case and fines over the same issue. The commission has now asked Belgium to provide clarifications of its policy.

Amongst further initiatives, it has launched infringement proceedings against Bulgaria over inadequate waste infrastructure in Sofia and against Romania for failing to designate any special protected areas for migratory and vulnerable wild birds.

Equally, Malta has two months to ban the hunting of protected birds in spring, in line with EU legislation, or face court action.

The commission dropped legal action against Cyprus following a commitment that it will no longer allow the hunting of protected birds in spring.

victoria.main@thomson.com

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