The European Commissiona (EC) has filed an appeal against Spain for failing to comply with its obligations regarding the correct use of nitrates and fertilizers in some autonomous communities, the Official Journal of the European Union (DOU) reported on Monday 31.
Specifically, the EC is asking for a cost order for Spain because in Castilla y León, Extremadura, Galicia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Madrid and the Valencian Community “there are still areas that have not been designated as vulnerable to nitrates.”
This “despite the fact that the data obtained through the pollution control network caused by nitrates of agricultural origin justify their designation / inclusion”, according to the EC resource published by the DOUE.
EC PICKS UP SPAIN FOR NOT TAKING NECESSARY MEASURES TO REMEDY EUTROPHICATION ALL OVER THE COUNTRY
The EC also considers that Spain has not taken the necessary measures to address the rising trend of pollution in nitrate vulnerable zones in some autonomous communities, such as Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León and Murcia.
On the other hand, the EC argues that the action programs of Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León, Extremadura and Madrid “do not contain sufficient measures in relation to the application of fertilizers to sloping and steep lands”, such as a trademark the European directive.
Similarly, Extremadura abounds that measures are still lacking on the temporary storage of solid manure in the field, on the registration of fertilization and in relation to the maximum quantity of authorized manure per hectare that will be applied to the soil.
And it is also indicated that the Madrid action program does not contain the necessary measures in relation to the temporary storage of solid fertilizers on the ground.
Finally, the EC criticizes Spain for not having taken the necessary measures to remedy eutrophication in the whole country, despite the available data showing that the measures envisaged in the action programs are not sufficient to reduce and prevent pollution.
For all these reasons, the European authority has asked for Spain to be ordered to pay the costs.
