Finland is to be sent a first warning, or formal notice, for non-compliance with the directive. The Commission says Finnish authorities have not ensured that livestock manure storage vessels are big enough, and have not prohibited manure spreading in autumn as required. The UK is to receive a second warning, or reasoned opinion, over failure to designate an estuary in Scotland as a nitrate vulnerable zone, while Portugal will be sent a formal notice because the Commission says its action programme to combat nitrates is insufficient. No judgements have been passed on any of the nine countries before the court over the nitrates law. Ongoing cases against Italy and Spain are most advanced, a Commission official told ENDS Daily today, but rulings are not expected before the end of this year.
Several countries are subject to more than one infringement action simultaneously.