EU says eight countries failing waste dump rules
Date: 12-Apr-02
Country: BELGIUM
The EU's executive arm sent a final warning to Britain, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Greece, Portugal, Finland and Luxembourg over their failure to put the 1999 EU landfill directive on to their own statute books.
"It was a very positive move when, in 1999, EU countries agreed to significantly improve environmental standards with regard to the landfilling of waste," EU Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrom said in a statement.
"But to ensure these improvements are translated into reality, EU countries need to adapt their national legislation."
The landfill directive sets tougher regulations over waste dumps and limits the amount of biodegradable waste that can be buried. It should have been put into national law by last July.
The governments have two months to comply or face prosecution at the European Court of Justice.