MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the waste disposal crisis in Campania

26.1.2011

further to Questions for Oral Answer B7‑0667/2010, B7‑0801/2010, B7‑0805/2010 and B7‑0806/2010
pursuant to Rule 115(5) of the Rules of Procedure

Crescenzio Rivellini, Erminia Mazzoni, Elisabetta Gardini on behalf of the PPE Group

B7‑0077/2011

European Parliament resolution on the waste disposal crisis in Campania

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to Article 191 of the Treaty on European Union which establishes that the Union policy on the environment shall contribute to pursuit of the following objectives,

–   preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment,

–   protecting human health,

–   prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources,

–   promoting measures at international level to deal with regional or worldwide environmental problems, and in particular combating climate change,

–   having regard of Article 227 TFEU on the right of petition,

–   having regard to the adopted legislative acts by the EC and by the Member States to protect the environment and public health,

–   having regard to the adopted waste directive which specifies that waste management measures have to comply with environmental legislation,

–   having regard to the petitions forwarded to Parliament over the years 2005-2010,

–   having regard to Rules 115(5) and 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas Campania in the last 15 years has been repetitively afflicted by major waste collection and disposal crises creating emergency situations which have heavily affected the local population,

B.  whereas the danger coming from uncollected waste in the streets can have dangerous consequences on human health and the environment,

C. whereas having been made aware of the situation the concerned local administration has not been able till now to address properly the problem avoiding an escalation of the problem, the increase of the discomfort of the residents and even endangering risks for the public health and the environment,

D. whereas the described situation violates the EU law concerning the setting up of the necessary strategy and management to comply with the requests of the EU waste legislation,

E.  whereas the European Commission has launched an infringement procedure against Italy with reference to the incorrect application of the Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2006/12/EC on waste) in Campania and referred to the European Court of Justice in July 2008, in view of the continuing breach of EU environmental law in Campania,

F.  whereas the European Commission, following to the infringement procedure, has frozen the funds for the waste management and disposal in Italy and in particular in the Campania region,

G. whereas the ECJ has condemned Italy in ruling of 4 March 2010 for having failed to set up the necessary installations to ensure the disposal of urban waste in an adequate manner (judgement in Case C-297/08),

H. whereas it is fundamental that the necessary actions are complemented by the adoption and, most importantly, by the effective implementation of long-term strategic measures, such as a sufficient network of waste treatment facilities being fully compliant with standards set by Community law accompanied by a coherent long-term waste management strategy with a view to boosting recycling and separate waste collection,

1.  Welcomes the efforts and capacity of the local authorities which took extraordinary measures in the last urban waste emergency which occurred in autumn 2010;

2.  Welcomes the Community funding which have been allocated and calls on the Commission to assess the situation in Campania which has been affected by urban waste disposal crises also recently;

3.  Welcomes the recent efforts of the local regional authorities to accomplish the judgment prescriptions before the end of April;

4.  Calls on the Commission to ensure a correct implementation of all the existing legislation concerning environmental and health protection and namely in the case of waste management in the affected Italian region;

5.  Calls on the Commission to defreeze the remaining EU funds if the conditions are fully met by the Italian authorities and to monitor the good use of the remaining EU subsidies, ensuring that all future expenses will be in accordance with the EU approved plans submitted by the regional and local authorities in order to definitely solve the waste management crises in Campania in full compliance with Community law;

6.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments of the Member States concerned.