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EU Halts Court Action Over French Water Pollution |
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| BELGIUM: September 13, 2007 | ||
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BRUSSELS - The European Commission took the unusual step on Wednesday of seeking to suspend court action against France, saying Paris had taken steps to tackle the problem of farm pollutants in drinking water.
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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.
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REUTERS NEWS SERVICE
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