Brussels, 23/11/2010 (Agence Europe) - Experts sent by the European Commission to assess the magnitude of the new waste crisis in Campania continued their two-day assignment on the ground on Tuesday (see EUROPE 10260). Jo Hennon, who is spokesman for Janez Potoènik, said on Tuesday that their report was expected this week. As things stand, however, the commissioner's initial fears are being confirmed.
“There is a very serious problem. Not enough has been done (Ed.: by the Italian authorities). We need to see action”, Hennon told EUROPE, adding that Commissioner Janez Potoènik would not be making a statement this week. This is because the Commission must now study the report to determine whether it can assist the Italian authorities, that is, explain to them what their responsibilities are or whether action should be initiated a second time before the Court of Justice for a crisis similar to that which occurred in 2007.
Pia Buccella, who is head of the legal affairs section at DG Environment and who also heads the experts' task force, met the environment committee of the Campania regional council on Tuesday and visited the Taverna del Re (Giugliano) waste compacting plant. She did not hold back when talking to the local press. “There is still no plan for processing or for the management of collective waste. This time, we shall not be simply satisfied with a plan presented to us. We want that plan to be implemented, and swiftly”, she warned, cited by ANSA. The Commission expert called on the Naples authority to adopt a plan for selective waste collection. Italy, we recall, had already been found guilty by the Court of Justice for breach of Directive 2006/12/EC on waste management (ruling of 5 March 2010 in Case CC-297/08). The announcement of a management plan had suspended infringement proceedings. (A.N./transl.jl)