92003E0692

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0692/03

by Konstantinos Hatzidakis (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(7 March 2003)

Subject: Landfill sites for the hygienic disposal of waste in Greece

Will the Commission say what are its views on the creation of landfill sites for the hygienic disposal of waste in Greece?

How many waste tips do not meet Community specifications?

What actions has it taken to prevail upon Greece to comply with Community legislation?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(3 April 2003)

The landfilling of waste must be done in accordance with Council Directive 75/442/EEC of 15 July 1975 on waste(1) as amended by Council Directive 91/156/EEC of 18 March 1991(2) and with Council Directive 1999/31/EC of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste(3).

According to the information transmitted by the Greek authorities there are at present 33 sanitary landfill sites, which accept around 33 % of municipal waste in Greece. Another 60 % of municipal waste is disposed of in tips, that do not satisfy the requirements set by Community legislation. The national waste management plan adopted in 2000 sets out the objective to adapt sanitary landfills to the environmental specifications and to rehabilitate the uncontrolled or illegal landfills.

On the basis of this information and following a large number of complaints about uncontrolled or illegal waste disposal sites that do not comply with Community legislation, the Commission initiated an infringement procedure under Article 226 of the Treaty establishing the Community in July 2002. The Greek authorities recognised that 1 458 illegal or uncontrolled landfills were still in operation and declared that a new waste management plan was under adoption. According to their timetable all illegal landfills would be closed by the end of 2007 and be replaced by permanent installations. In this framework, the Greek authorities have solicited the aid of the European Structural Funds and the Cohesion Fund. A number of landfills are actually under authorisation or under construction in various regions of Greece.

The Commission delivered a reasoned opinion under Article 226 of the EC Treaty in December 2002 inviting Greece to take the necessary measures to comply with the requirements of the provisions of Directive 75/442/EEC as amended. If Greece does not comply with its obligations under the Community legislation, the Commission will not hesitate to bring the matter before the Court of Justice.

(1) OJ L 194, 25.7.1975.

(2) OJ L 78, 26.3.1991.

(3) OJ L 182, 16.7.1999.