# C_2006022EN.01000501.xml

| 28.1.2006 | EN | Official Journal of the European Union | C 22/5 |
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Action brought on 24 October 2005 by the Commission of the European Communities against the Italian Republic

(Case C-388/05)

(2006/C 22/09)

Language of the case: Italian

An action against the Italian Republic was brought before the Court of Justice of the European Communities on 24 October 2005 by the Commission of the European Communities, represented by A. Aresu and D. Recchia, acting as Agents.

The Commission claims that the Court should:

| — | declare that:
(a)
prior to 28 December 1998, the date for the designation of the Special Protection Area (SPA) ‘Valloni e steppe pedegarganiche’, the Italian Republic failed to meet its obligations under Article 4(4) of Council Directive 79/409/EEC( 1 ) of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds in so far as it failed to take appropriate steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any disturbances affecting birds likely to have significant consequences, with reference to the plan designated ‘the regional agreement’ and the projects outlined therein, which were liable to have an impact on the habitats and species within IBA (Important Bird Area) No 94 (from IBA Catalogue 89) ‘Gargano Promontory’ and which have in fact brought about a deterioration of habitats and resulted in serious disturbances affecting birds within the above IBA[s]; (b)
after 28 December 1998, the date for the designation of the Special Protection Area (SPA) ‘Valloni e steppe pedegarganiche’, the Italian Republic failed to meet its obligations under Article 6(2), (3) and (4) and Article 7 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC( 2 ) of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora; | (a) | prior to 28 December 1998, the date for the designation of the Special Protection Area (SPA) ‘Valloni e steppe pedegarganiche’, the Italian Republic failed to meet its obligations under Article 4(4) of Council Directive 79/409/EEC( 1 ) of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds in so far as it failed to take appropriate steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any disturbances affecting birds likely to have significant consequences, with reference to the plan designated ‘the regional agreement’ and the projects outlined therein, which were liable to have an impact on the habitats and species within IBA (Important Bird Area) No 94 (from IBA Catalogue 89) ‘Gargano Promontory’ and which have in fact brought about a deterioration of habitats and resulted in serious disturbances affecting birds within the above IBA[s]; | (b) | after 28 December 1998, the date for the designation of the Special Protection Area (SPA) ‘Valloni e steppe pedegarganiche’, the Italian Republic failed to meet its obligations under Article 6(2), (3) and (4) and Article 7 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC( 2 ) of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora; |
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| (a) | prior to 28 December 1998, the date for the designation of the Special Protection Area (SPA) ‘Valloni e steppe pedegarganiche’, the Italian Republic failed to meet its obligations under Article 4(4) of Council Directive 79/409/EEC( 1 ) of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds in so far as it failed to take appropriate steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any disturbances affecting birds likely to have significant consequences, with reference to the plan designated ‘the regional agreement’ and the projects outlined therein, which were liable to have an impact on the habitats and species within IBA (Important Bird Area) No 94 (from IBA Catalogue 89) ‘Gargano Promontory’ and which have in fact brought about a deterioration of habitats and resulted in serious disturbances affecting birds within the above IBA[s]; | | | | |
| (b) | after 28 December 1998, the date for the designation of the Special Protection Area (SPA) ‘Valloni e steppe pedegarganiche’, the Italian Republic failed to meet its obligations under Article 6(2), (3) and (4) and Article 7 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC( 2 ) of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora; | | | | |

| — | order the Italian Republic to pay the costs of the proceedings. |
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Pleas in law and main arguments

By failing to take appropriate steps to avoid pollution or deterioration of habitats or any disturbances affecting birds likely to have significant consequences, with reference to the plan designated ‘the regional agreement’ and the projects outlined therein, within the area subsequently designated as the Special Protection Area (SPA) ‘Valloni e steppe pedegarganiche’, the Italian Republic has failed to meet its obligations under Article 4(4) of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds and, after 28 December 1998, under Article 6(2), (3) and (4) and Article 7 of Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora.

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( 1 )  OJ 1979L 103 of 25.04.1979, p. 1.

( 2 )  OJ 1992L 206 of 22.07.1992, p. 7.

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