Brussels, 14/08/2001 (Agence Europe) - On 1 August, the European Commission decided to send a Reasoned Opinion to Ireland as it has not drawn up programmes to combat pollution of shellfish waters, whereas it is held to do so in virtue of a 1979 Directive on the quality of these waters intended for the breeding of edible shellfish. Without a satisfactory response within two months of receiving this official request, he Commission may decide to refer Ireland to the Court of Justice. "Clean waters that support shellfish are amongst Ireland's assets. The absence of specific programmes to safeguard them is a disappointment, especially given developments such as the recent discovery of PCB in Carlingford Lough", said Commissioner Margot Wallstrom.
Following a complaint, the Commission noted that Irish legislation only provide for this type of programme in case of problems, whereas it is a question of a "systematic obligation to contribute to preventing upstream pollution". The sudden disappearance of a shellfish farm in Mulroy Bay in the early 1990s, due to pollution that could have been avoided, "illustrates the value of adopting a preventive approach", the Commission writes, also recalling that more recently, illegal waste disposal and the discovery of highly toxic PCBs at Greenore Port in Carlingford Lough - near a shellfishery "further illustrates the need for vigilance".