The European Commission will take Spain to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for failing to complete a review of catchment hydrological and flood risk management plansIn accordance with the water and inundation directives, with particular reference to the Canary Islands (Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma), and because at least 195 illegal landfills have remained unclosed, sealed or repaired since 2008, causing “serious harm” to the environment and endangering the health of residents.
The European Commission also referred Bulgaria, Ireland, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia to the CJEU for the same reason: having not completed the review of their river basin management plans or flood risk management plans in accordance with the directives on water and floods.
Brussels reminded this Member States must update and communicate management plans every six years.basin, which includes a program of measures essential for Ensuring the good condition or potential of all water bodies.
Same way, Member States must update and communicate flood risk management plans every six yearsBrussels sees this as “essential” to reduce and manage. flood risk It means human health, environment, cultural heritage and economic activities.
European Green Deal
The Water Framework Directive focuses on the following issues: ensuring the good qualitative and quantitative health of European water bodies such as rivers and lakes. Purposereduce and eliminate pollutiontogether ensure there is enough water to meet the needs of both humans and wildlifeEC noted.
In this sense, it constitutes an important part. European Green Deal It is necessary to achieve its goals on climate, nature and pollution reduction.
He also emphasized that complying with the flood directive is key to preparing for this event and its management.
In February 2023, the Commission sent formal notification letters to the countries concerned, followed last September by reasoned opinions to anyone who did not update or review these plans.
“Despite some progress, six countries continue to fail to meet their obligations under one or both directives,” the Commission said, adding: Spain, Malta and Portugal have not yet fully notified their third river basin management plans and secondary flood risk management plans..
The Community Executive therefore assessed that the authorities’ efforts to date were “insufficient” and that, as a result, Bulgaria, Ireland, Spain, Malta, Portugal and Slovakia would be taken to the European Court of Justice. Unity.
Illegal landfills
The Community Executive Board also took the final step in this context. File opened in Spain in 2015 for violating the waste directive It requires countries to take “all necessary measures” to avoid harm to both people and the environment, the agency reported.
The Regulations also require Member States to: ensuring “safe disposal of waste”and that early producers “will either treat the waste themselves or ensure that the treatment is done appropriately.”
“Spain did not take the necessary measures to meet these requirements waste framework directive. The existence of at least 195 illegal landfills, which have not yet been closed, sealed and restored since 2008, causes serious damage to the environment and endangers human health.“, I condemn the community officials.
In Brussels’ view, Spain also “failed to comply with its control, inspection and compliance obligations regarding waste dumping”.
The launch of the infringement procedure dates back to December 2015, and Brussels issued an ultimatum in November 2018, but is considering “Efforts of Spanish authorities were insufficientAlthough he has made “some progress” since then.
The case is currently going to the Luxembourg-based court, which will decide whether Spain has complied with the obligations imposed on it by the directive, as the European Commission believes. If it agrees with Brussels in its analysis and the State does not take corrective measures, the Commission may ask the CJEU to impose a fine.