EU threatens Italy with legal action over waste sites
(BRUSSELS) - The European Commission issued Italy Thursday a final warning to close and clean up thousands of illegal waste disposal sites or face possible fines.
Italy was condemned by the European Court of Justice in 2007 for failing to comply with EU waste laws, and the commission said the problem of illegal and uncontrolled tips "persists on a large scale" across most of the country.
The commission also accuses Italy of breaking rules on waste water, saying that some 500 towns and cities do not have waste water treatment up to EU standards.
"Uncontrolled disposal of waste and untreated urban waste water present serious hazards," EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said in a statement.
"I urge the Italian authorities to take swift action to remedy the situation and fully implement EU environmental law."
Italy will have about two months to respond to the accusation, after which the EU's executive arm could decide to take action again at Europe's top court in Luxembourg.
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