TALLINN, 1 February 2008 - The European Commission is reported to have taken the decision to file an action against Belgium and Estonia in the European Court of Justice for failure to comply with European Union legislation on the receipt of ship-generated waste and cargo residue in ports.
In its press release the Commission announced that it has resolved to launch proceedings against Belgium and Estonia for their failure to properly introduce the directive, adopted in 2000, into their national law. The directive is designed to reduce the amount of waste and cargo residue generated by ships using EU ports entering the sea. With this aim in mind, the directive ensures the better availability and use of equipment for the receipt and processing of waste and residue, thereby reinforcing the protection of the marine environment.
In the case of Estonia the Commission’s actions were motivated by the fact that the key provisions of ship checks which ensure the observance of the directive are lacking. Member states were required to fully adopt the directive by 27 December 2002.
I am forwarding a selection of background materials to journalists who are planning to cover the story, as the National Audit Office drew attention to the problems related to the issue in 2004 and 2005. Amongst other things, the office highlighted the need for the directive to be adopted as required.
The following are links to the relevant audits. Below are summary press releases from 2004 and 2005.
National Audit Office audit of the organisation of the processing of ship-generated waste in ports of 16 November 2004
Joint audit of the National Audit Offices of Baltic Sea countries led by the National Audit Office of Denmark of pollution in the Baltic Sea originating from ships
(Estonian) (English)
National Audit Office press release of 5 October 2004:
National Audit Office: Receipt of all ship-generated waste not provided in ports
National Audit Office press release of 27 January 2005:
Estonia not among Baltic leaders in preventing maritime pollution from ships
Toomas Mattson
Communication Manager of National Audit Office
Telephone: 6400 777
Mob: 51 34900
E-mail: [email protected]
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Posted:
2/1/2008 12:00 AM
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Last Update:
7/29/2020 2:20 PM
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Last Review:
7/29/2020 2:20 PM