Former Cercom plant in Comacchio

24.9.2018

Question for written answer E-004789-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Marco Affronte (Verts/ALE)

The projected relaunch of the former Cercom plant in Comacchio (FE-Italy) is focused on activities related to the manufacture of tiles for the SACMI group on an industrial site at the edge of Po Delta Park near the SCI/SPA area Valli di Comacchio IT 4060002.

The new plant, consisting of buildings 35 metres high over an area of 9000 square meters and handling 170 trucks per day, will be extremely harmful to the Valle Molino and its canal (which would receive discharges from the industrial plant), together with two saltwater areas forming part of the SCI/SPA. The plant needs new power lines and road infrastructures, the construction of which would be in breach of park protection rules.

On 2 August 2018, the committee responsible for the protection of the environment and landscape gave a non-binding unfavourable opinion regarding the project. In its communication of 8 August 2018, the Emilia-Romagna regional government also indicated that the project failed to comply with the necessary conditions for approval.

Given that, under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive, it is the responsibility of the national authorities to assess the possible negative impact of a project on a Natura 2000 site.

1. What action will the Commission take to protect this and other Italian SCI/SPAs if the Italian authorities fail to fulfil their duties in this respect?

2. Have proceedings been initiated against Italy for non-compliance with the Habitats Directive and, if so, can the Commission give further details regarding the circumstances?