WRITTEN QUESTION E-2403/03 by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (NI) to the Commission. Pollution in Canosa di Puglia.
Date: 2003-07-21
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Italy, application of EU law, degradation of the environment, public health, waste management, water pollution

C 58 E/166

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

(2004/C 58 E/179)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2403/03

by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (NI) to the Commission

(21 July 2003)

Subject: Pollution in Canosa di Puglia

According to press reports and concerns expressed by local
there is still a serious
environmental danger in the ‘Tufarelle’ district of Canosa di Puglia, for both the population and the
ecosystem in the contaminated area.

inhabitants,

Investigations at the location of the ‘Bleu’ waste disposal plant have shown that the water contains
pollutants, including metals and coliform bacteria.

Furthermore, in the same district there are two category 2B special waste disposal sites and an effluent
treatment plant.

The case is being investigated by the competent department of the judiciary, which has led to the
management of the ‘Bleu’ dump being arrested by the operational environmental unit of the Carabinieri.

The situation is causing great concern and alarm, since the waste plant is located near the Locone dam,
right next to the stream itself, and in the vicinity of a number of artesian wells used to irrigate agricultural
produce sold for human consumption.

Can the Commission say whether it is aware of the serious case of pollution referred to above?

Whether it intends to launch an inquiry to obtain more information?

Whether it intends to inform the local, regional and national authorities of its concern?

What steps it will take regarding the case to ensure that current Community legislation is correctly
applied?

Whether it has taken action in similar cases and suggested remedies for similar situations?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(10 September 2003)

At Community level the treatment of waste is regulated by Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975
on waste (1). Article 4 of this Directive obliges Member States to ensure that waste is recovered or disposed
of without endangering human health or the environment. Special requirements for the landfilling of waste
are set out in Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste (2).

The Commission has the task of ensuring the correct application of Community law, in the light of the
powers conferred on it by the EC Treaty. As the guardian of the Treaty, it does not hesitate to take all
necessary measures, including infringement procedures under Article 226 of the EC Treaty, in order to
ensure the observance of Community law.

The Commission does not have any knowledge of the specific waste disposal plants referred to by the
Honourable Member.

However, as regards the issue of the numerous uncontrolled waste disposal sites in Italy, the Commission
has recently initiated an infringement procedure against Italy covering the whole of the Italian territory, for
breach of the provisions of Directives 75/442/EEC and 1999/31/EC.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975, as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991, OJ L 78, 26.3.1991, and

Commission Decision 96/350/EC of 24 May 1996, OJ L 135, 6.6.1996.

(2) OJ L 182, 16.7.1999.