Brussels, 14/04/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 14 April, the European Commission decided to send reasoned opinions to Poland and Spain for failing to respect Community legislation on port state vessel controls. The Commission claims that Warsaw and Madrid have not yet satisfactorily implemented the directive of 1995 (in its version modified after the Erika disaster), which aims to reduce substandard shipping. This directive lays down common criteria for control of ships by the port state and harmonises procedures on the inspection and detention of ships. The decision of the Commission to pursue proceedings is based on the conclusions returned by teams of the European Maritime Safety Agency, further to inspection visits to the member states. These visits took place as part of the Commission's monitoring programme designed to establish whether the directive was being correctly applied in each member state. In the case of Poland, the shortcomings concern the failure of the Polish authorities to apply sanctions in the event of violations of national execution measures. For Spain, the Commission noted its concern at the lack of appropriate qualifications of many port state control inspectors. Warsaw and Madrid now have two months to come into line with the requirements of Commission, which may otherwise bring the matter before the Court of Justice. (O.L./transl.fl)