Answer given by Mr Vella on behalf of the Commission
12.7.2018
The Commission is not aware of the situation referred to by the Honourable Member.
The Water Framework Directive[1] and the Groundwater Directive[2] require Member States to comply with the principle of non-deterioration (of the status of bodies of surface water and groundwater) and to take measures to prevent and limit inputs of pollutants into water bodies. The Commission will continue working closely with Member States to ensure proper implementation of these Directives.
As regards waste management, the Commission is pro-actively monitoring the implementation of the Waste Framework[3] and Landfill Directives[4] across Spain (including Galicia). In that context there are three horizontal infringement procedures pending.
It is primarily for Member States to ensure compliance with EU legislation. The Commission can only take action against a Member State in the event of a breach of Union law. According to the communication ‘EC law:
Better results through better application’[5], the Commission gives priority to issues indicating, inter alia, a systemic failure to comply with the EC law. Should information pointing to a breach of EC law become available, the Commission will consider the most appropriate course of action in light of the criteria set out in this communication.