Judgment — ECLI:EU:C:2013:394
Date: 2013-06-13
Language of the case: French
Court formation: Seventh Chamber
Subject matter: Environment;Pollution
Procedure: Action for failure to fulfil obligations - successful
Origin: France

Judgment of the Court (Seventh Chamber) of 13 June 2013 – European Commission v French Republic (Case C-193/12) 1 (Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations – Directive 91/676/EEC – Protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources – Designation of vulnerable zones – Excessive nitrate content – Eutrophication – Obligation of four-yearly revision) Language of the case: French Parties Applicant: European Commission (represented by: J. Hottiaux and B. Simon, acting as Agents) Defendant: French Republic (represented by: G. de Bergues and S. Menez, acting as Agents) Re: Failure of a Member State to fulfil obligations – Infringement of Article 3(1) and (4) of Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources (OJ 1991 L 375, p. 1) and Annex I thereto – Incomplete identification of vulnerable zones – Excessive nitrate content – Eutrophication – Incorrect four-yearly revision Operative part of the judgment The Court: Declares that, by failing to designate as vulnerable zones a number of zones characterised by the presence of surface and groundwater bodies which are, or may be, affected by excessive nitrate content and/or eutrophication, the French Republic has failed to fulfil its obligations under Article 3(1) and (4) of Council Directive 91/676/EEC of 12 December 1991 concerning the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, and Annex I thereto; Orders the French Republic to pay the costs. ____________ 1 OJ C 217, 21.7.2012.