EU Halts Court Action Over French Water Pollution
Date: 13-Sep-07
Country: BELGIUM
The European Commission in June asked the European Court of
Justice to fine France more than 28 million euros (US$39 million)
for ignoring a previous court ruling over water standards in the
western region of Brittany.
But on Wednesday, the Commission said France had taken
measures to ensure nitrates, caused by the use of fertilisers
and manure in agriculture, did not exceed 50 mg per litre by the
end of 2009 in the remaining areas where levels are too high.
EU countries were required to meet the limits from 1987.
"I am confident that the measures now taken combined with a
pro-active response by farmers should lay the basis for more
sustainable agricultural practices in Brittany and long-term
compliance with (EU) legislation," EU Environment Commissioner
Stavros Dimas said in a statement.