Brussels, 23/05/2001 (Agence Europe) - For the second time in a row, Spain will be referred to the Court of Justice for failure to respect a 1998 Court ruling that had condemned it for failure to respect the European Directive on the quality of bathing waters. This second referral will be attached to a request for a fine (daily financial sanction), under Article 228 of the Treaty. This was the Commission's decision during its meeting on Wednesday.
In question: the mediocre quality of the inland waters in Spain (lakes and rivers) whose level of conformity with the minimum requirements set by the Directive is highly insufficient (79.2% in 2000): see EUROPE of 21 and 22 May, p.8). If Spain does not conform to its obligations before the Court issues a new ruling it will be forced to pay EUR 45,600 per day as of the publication of the judgement. The time given to the Member States to conform to the Directive's requirements expired in 1985.