Luxembourg, 03/06/2005 (Agence Europe) - Advocate General Christine Stix-Hackl has proposed that the European Court of Justice condemn Spain for, in her view, failing to ensure that waste from pig-farming in the Baix Ter area of the Gerona province is eliminated or treated without threatening human health and the environment. Christine Stix-Hackl maintains that a large number of businesses do not have the permit required under the European directive and that the periodic checks laid down for this type of farming are not being carried out. She also maintains that in several public water distribution networks in the Baix Ter area, the maximum permitted levels of nitrates is being exceeded. This is a matter of pollution and illegal deeds ascribable to a large number of pig farms (200 according to the Commission), she says. In order to establish whether there has been general malfunctioning or “structural” deficiencies in Spanish implementation of European directives, a “more general” approach must be taken than when Member State is being reproached for failing to manage a single case adequately, she said (paragraph 4 of the conclusions).
Spain is being reproached for violations of European directives on waste, the evaluation of the impact of certain public and private projects on the environment, the protection of underground water from dangerous substances and the quality of water for human consumption.
The Advocate General also referred to the conclusions of 12 May in which she wanted Spain to be condemned for pollution and infringements by a single pig farm in the province of Almeria. The name of this intensive farm is not mentioned, but it is situated in the commune of Vera in the Almeria province of Andalusia “in an area known as “El Pago de la Media Legua”, near to the rivers Antas and Aguas, which flow into the Mediterranean”.