Italy sent to ECJ for failing EU environmental norms

Anti-smog traffic measures in Rome

ROME – The European Union are sending Italy to the European Court of Justice for failing to meet EU norms on smog, xylella and radioactive waste limits, judicial sources say.

 These offences could result in heavy sanctions. 

 Italy’s smog levels were allegedly exceeding EU limits on PM10 fine particles; “PM” is a term used to describe the mixture of solid particles and liquid droplets found in the air.

 Hungary and Romania were denounced to the ECJ for the same charges, while France, Germany and the UK were reported for surpassing nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels. 

 However, in one of the last meetings held in Europe to discuss Italy’s position, Environmental Minister Gian Luca Galletti downplayed the country’s problems by speaking about “evident results”, meeting requirements and pursuing “strong strategy”.

 This sparked a reaction and comments from the European Commissioner Karmenu Vella, who said: "There’s still much to be done. I totally disagree with him [Galletti].”

 According to European sources, Italy’s standardization plan has become too large over time.

 Italy was also reported for not fully applying EU measures on xylella, a bug that kills olive trees in EU territory.

 It has severely damaged trees in the provinces Lecce, Brindisi and Taranto, which Italy were meant to have felled to stop the disease from spreading.

 The Commissioners were very clear on this point: “Cut down the sick trees." 

 Italy has also been reported for failing to notify national programmes about their radioactive waste management.

 These programmes are designed to guarantee the responsible and safe management of radioactive waste and exhausted nuclear fuel.

 They were previously warned about infringing this rule in July 2017, along with Austria, Croatia, the Czech Republic and Portugal.

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