Brussels, 09/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to pursue infringement proceedings against France for failure to comply with the 1998 directive on the marketing of biocide products (non-agricultural pesticide products). A letter of formal notice has been sent to France under Article 228 of the Treaty. France is summoned to comply with the Court of Justice ruling which, in 2003, had found French authorities guilty of not meeting the obligation to set an authorisation system in place for certain biocides such as wood protection products and disinfectants. The deadline for transposing the directive into national law expired on 14 May 2000. If France does not comply, it will be fined.
In a press release, Environment Commissioner Margot Wallström says "adequate regulation of pesticides is important for human health and for the environment. Nearly three years after the deadline, France has still not adapted its national provisions to those of the directive. I urge it to do what is necessary as soon as possible".