EU urges countries to follow environmental legislation

The European Union (EU) is calling on member states to comply with environmental legislation, sending Poland a missive about inadequate programmes of action for districts at risk of nitrate pollution.

According to the European Commission, the country has not yet managed to designate all zones that are vulnerable and, if it does not comply within the next two months, it could be referred to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

In addition, Poland is being referred to the Court of Justice by the Commission for failing to notify the body about the transposition of legislation regarding the ambient air quality directive, which should have been implemented in June last year.

Furthermore, it is also in trouble over its strategy to protect its seas, which should have been established in July 2010.

The Commission recently took action against Luxembourg over waste water treatment, with environment commissioner Janez Potocnik recommending that the Court imposes fines until the obligations are fulfilled.

Posted by Joseph Hutton