More enviro warnings for UK

Monday 18 July 2005

The European Commission has issued a further set of warnings to the UK for infringements of environmental law, as it continues to take action on member states for green failings. In the latest communication, issued on Friday, eight separate cases of non-compliance with EU environmental regulations. The announcement follows sustained action against numerous governments throughout July.

The most advanced of the latest UK cases refers to management of hazardous wastes, while two citations concerning wastewater treatment will be taken to the European Court of Justice. The remaining issues, for which the UK has received final warnings, relate to noise pollution, ozone layer protection and waste from electrical and electronic equipment.

"EU environmental legislation has already done a lot to improve the state of the environment in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. But to be fully effective, it must be fully implemented," said Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas.

France, Germany and Spain were among the other member states that have been warned in the last week.