Brussels, 26/11/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 26 November, the European Commission decided to open infringement proceedings against France. Its decision was made because the Commission believes that the construction of the Sivens dam in the Tarn region of France constitutes “a presumed breach of the framework directive on water”, according to a statement made by the Commission to the European press (EUROPE 11201).
A formal letter of notice (first stage of the procedure) will therefore be sent to the French authorities, which will have two months to respond. If a satisfactory answer is not forthcoming, the Commission may decide to move to the second stage of the proceedings: the sending out of a reasoned opinion.
Enrico Brivio, the spokesman for the Commissioner for the Environment, Karmenu Vella explained, “on the basis of information so far available, the French authorities have authorised the project, despite the deterioration of the ecological state of the mass of water that it is likely to cause”.
He pointed out on this occasion, that the objective in this directive (2000/60/EC) is to create sustainable long-term water management that is based on a high aquatic environmental protection level.
The opening of infringement procedures is the outcome of an investigation carried out by the Commission services, following a complaint lodged by the collective opposed to this very controversial project in France.
The spokesman indicated that an exchange of information took place a year ago between the Commission and the French authorities “in November 2013, the Commission called on the French authorities to provide it with information needed to ensure that the directive's objectives were indeed being respected”. He added that discussions in this connection were continuing.
French Green MEP José Bové immediately responded to the news by stating “the EU has confirmed the position held by the environmentalists and is opening infringement procedures against France”. (AN)