Brussels, 29/06/2009 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission has decided to continue one infringement procedure and to begin another against Italy for failure to comply with European environmental legislation.
In the first case, Italy is facing fines under Article 228 of the treaty for failure to comply with a Court of Justice ruling from 2007, finding against it for allowing the existence of thousands of illegal and unmonitored dumps (infringement of framework directive 91/156/EEC, directive 91/689/EEC on dangerous waste and directive 99/31/EC on dumps).
In another case, Italy has been sent a letter of formal notice (the first stage in the infringement procedure under Article 226 of the Treaty) for failing in its obligation to treat waste water in some 500 cities and agglomerations of more than 10,000 inhabitants (infringement of directive 91/271/EEC).
“Uncontrolled disposal of waste and untreated urban waste water present serious hazards, which is one of the reasons rules have been adopted by the EU to ensure the highest levels of protection for citizens and the environment. I urge the Italian authorities to take swift action to remedy the situation and fully implement EU environmental law,” said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas in a press release. (A.N./transl.rt)