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The European Commission is urging France and Greece to take stronger measures to combat water pollution caused by nitrates.
In France, the current legal framework and the nitrates action plans for zones vulnerable to nitrate pollution do not effectively guarantee that this pollution is addressed effectively, as required by EU law. Greece too has a number of failings in this area. In spite of the Directive being in force since 1991, both Member States have still not fully implemented it. The Member States have yet to designate all the zones which are vulnerable to nitrates pollution and adopt measures to effectively combat nitrates pollution in these zones.
On the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Poto?nik, a reasoned opinion will be sent to France on both the designation and insufficient action grounds and a reasoned opinion on the action programme will be sent to Greece. The Member States have two months to comply. Failing this, the Commission may decide to refer their cases to the European Court of Justice.
In France, the existing legislation and the action plans that have been adopted lack precision and have numerous shortcomings, including insufficient closed periods and insufficient limitations for manure and fertilizers application. France has agreed to amend its legislation, but slow progress and insufficient proposed changes have led the Commission to send a reasoned opinion. The Commission also considers that France has not yet designated all the zones which are actually vulnerable to pollution by nitrates, and so a number of areas are still lacking action plans.
An examination of Greek law revealed that seven of the Action Plans, adopted in Greece in 2001 and 2006, have shortcomings and are not being correctly implemented on the ground. Legal proceedings began last year, and while some progress has been made, the Commission is not satisfied with the pace of change, and a reasoned opinion is therefore being sent.
Thursday October 27, 2011/ European Commission/ European Unio.
http://europa.eu/
