23/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - Notre-Dame-des-Landes Airport. France targeted. The European Commission has opened an infringement procedure against France for the non-respect of European legislation during authorisation of a construction project for Notre-Dame-des-Landes Airport. A letter of formal notice (first stage of the procedure) was sent on 16 April to the French authorities, whom the Commission criticises for not having proceeded with a strategic environmental assessment in order to “assess the notable effects on the environment, including the cumulative secondary effects” of all the infrastructure for the project - a requirement that was nevertheless demanded by Directive 2001/42/EC. France will have two months to give an explanation on this subject. If there is no satisfactory response, the Commission will be able to send a reasoned opinion to the French authorities, asking them to come into line with EU legislation immediately. (AN)