Spain is to be referred to the Court of Justice of the EU for continually failing to comply with its obligation to review and update river basin management plans in the Canary Islands, and to consult the public when developing those plans. The referral decision was taken by the European Commission on Thursday 8 March.
The European Commission criticises Spain for having infringed provisions of the framework directive on water (29000/60/EC) in the seven river basin districts of the Canary Islands. Such plans are essential as they give an overview of the main problems specific to each district and must contain the specific measures required for fulfilling environmental quality objectives.
Spain was under an obligation to update its management plans by 22 December 2015 and to communicate the measures to the Commission by 22 March 2016. Despite two calls to order in 2017 (a letter of formal notice in April and a reasoned opinion in October), the member state has still not done the necessary to come into line with EU law. (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)