Italy in EU dock over environment

The European Commission is taking legal action against Italy over 17 breaches of EU environmental law.

The cases against Italy, covering a wide range of environmental infringements, herald the beginning of a campaign against the most wayward member states, said the commission in a statement on Tuesday.

Rome will be brought before the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg over waste management, nature protection, environmental impact assessments, air quality, noise and access to environmental information.

Brussels highlighted Italy’s failure to fully comply with rulings on the EU’s waste framework and end of life vehicles directives and for failing to implement legislation on recycling waste electrical and electronic equipment.

The commission also rebuked Italy for failing to assess the environmental damage of a number of industrial developments, violating the EU’s birds and habitats directives.

“I find it worrying that, in spite of repeated warnings, Italy is still not fully following EU environmental legislation in crucial areas which directly affect citizens’ health, well being and rights,” said EU environment chief Stavros Dimas.

“I urge the Italian authorities to increase their overall effort to improve their implementation record.”

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