Brussels, 22/07/2009 (Agence Europe) - On Wednesday 22 July, the European Commission sent a reasoned opinion to Spain for failure to implement a Court of Justice ruling of December 2007, which had condemned persistent infringement of the Community legislation on the protection of Nature. This was due to Spain's vast Segarra-Garrigues irrigation project in Catalonia, the construction of which affects natural protected areas of Community importance under the Natura 2000 network, vital for the protection of steppic birds.
If Spain fails to react to this final written warning about its failure to comply with the Habitats Directive (92/43/EC) and Wild Birds Directive (79/409/EEC), the Commission will be compelled to carry out a second referral to Court with, where necessary, a request for fines to be imposed under Article 228 of the treaty. The Spanish authorities therefore risk receiving a fine proportional to the gravity and duration of the infringement.
In a press release, Stavros Dimas, European Environment Commissioner, calls on Spanish authorities to comply, out of respect for biodiversity, saying: “The state of biodiversity in the European Union is not at its best. We must do all that we can to protect the flora and fauna that remains on our continent. I urge the Spanish authorities to take all measures necessary to preserve the integrity of Catalonia's most important area for the conservation of steppic birds”.
The subject under controversy is a 85 km long canal that will irrigate agricultural land in the Lleida region, from the River Segre. Despite the ruling of the Court of Justice, construction work begun in 2002 was continued until the project was inaugurated on 5 July. It is expected to last 10 years. (A.N./transl.jl)