Discrepancy between the list of illegal landfills which do not comply with the waste management obligations incumbent on Italy and the Sergnano landfill in Mirabello

29.4.2015

Question for written answer E-006799-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Eleonora Evi (EFDD) , Fabio Massimo Castaldo (EFDD) , Ignazio Corrao (EFDD) , Marco Valli (EFDD) , Isabella Adinolfi (EFDD) , Dario Tamburrano (EFDD)

On 15 July 2009, by letter No 99998 ‘Final reminder in relation to EU infringement procedure 2003/2077’, the Lombardy Region asked the municipality of Sergnano to provide information about the reclamation, clean-up and removal of waste relating to an illegal landfill, which the government plan for the local area had classified as an ‘uncontrolled landfill’ and ‘degraded area to be reclaimed and restored.’

The landfill surface, which was originally covered by a layer of vegetation, was damaged by heavy rains in October/November 2014 that washed away part of the inert material cover, bringing to the surface huge quantities of waste in various areas. Immediate clean-up work is therefore clearly needed, with a view to eliminating health risks and preventing the hydrogeological pollution of the River Serio and of the surface or ground water.

Even though some official documents from 2009 confirm that the waste had not been removed and that the area had been seized, according to Regional Decree No X/864/25.10.2014 the landfill had been removed from the list of non-compliant sites. In the judgment of the EU Court of Justice relating to Case C-196/13, moreover, the existence of at least 218 illegal waste landfills was brought to light. The Sergnano landfill did not appear on that list.

What information does the Commission have about this landfill?

Why is this landfill no longer classified as illegal and potentially dangerous and why has it not been included among the non-compliant ones with regard to which action is being taken?