Brussels, 24/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - Poland is to be referred to the Court of Justice (the third stage in the infringement procedure) and faces financial penalties for persistent failure to comply with European environment legislation, the Commission announced on Thursday 24 November. The infringements relate to two cases in which the Polish authorities, despite several warnings, have still to put right the failings that have been identified - failure to incorporate two European directives into national law.
In the first instance, Poland stands accused of failing to inform the Commission of its measures to transpose the ambient air quality directive (Directive 2008/50/EC), which should have formed part of national law by 11 June 2010. On the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potoènik, the Commission is asking the Court to impose penalty payments of €71,521 per day from the date of the Court ruling and until Poland complies.
In the second case, Poland has failed to inform the Commission of national measures to transpose the marine strategy framework directive, when the deadline for so doing was 15 July 2010. Here, the Commission is asking the Court to impose a penalty payment of €59,834 per day on Poland.
Under new rules The European Commission can ask for financial penalties to be imposed on member states by the Court of Justice at the first referral, without having to return to the Court for a second ruling, as was previously the case. (AN/transl.rt)