Luxembourg, 06/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - Advocate General Philippe Léger is proposing to the Court of Justice that it condemn Greece which, in his opinion, did not take sufficient protection measures and therefore threatens the survival of the caretta caretta turtle, which has become practically extinct in the EU. He thus supports the European Commission which has made this case its key concern (see EUROPE of 13 October, p.15).
The advocate general does not deny Member States the right to promote exploitation of their tourist resources or challenge the measures taken by the Greek government during the time considered to protect the endangered animal species. He does, however, consider that the State in question did not implement in good time the strict measures imposed by Community law in order to ensure the long-term conservation of a highly protected species.
Philippe Léger took stock of the visit made by European Commission officials end August 1999 on the turtles' nesting beaches on the island of Zakynthos. The officials had noted that, despite the presence of notices pointing out that there were nesting turtles on the island's southern beaches, it had been ascertained that people had been responsible for behaviour likely to disrupt the turtles' nesting habits. He went on to denounce the use of motorcycles on the eastern beach of Laganas, the presence of parasols and deckchairs in greater numbers than provided for in the Greek 1999 decree on the protection of turtles on the beaches of Gerakas, Daphni, Kalamaki and Laganas, and the presence of unlawfully built constructions on Daphni beach.
EUROPE recalls that, for the first time, the Commission is taking action against a Member State that it accuses of threatening the very survival of a species. The ruling is expected within the next few weeks or months.