The European Commission decides to refer Belgium to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to protect its population and ecosystems from nitrate pollution

Today, the European Commission decided to refer Belgium to the Court of Justice of the European Union for failing to take sufficient action in the Walloon region on nitrate pollution as required under the Nitrates Directive (Council Directive 91/676/EEC).

Under the Nitrates Directive, Member States are required to monitor their waters and identify those affected or likely to be affected by pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources. They are also required to set up appropriate action programmes to prevent and reduce such pollution.

The Commission sent a letter of formal notice to Belgium in February 2014, an additional letter of formal notice in November 2019 and a reasoned opinion in July 2020. Despite some progress, the Belgian authorities have not fully addressed the grievances. For these reasons, the Commission considers that efforts by the Belgian authorities have to date been unsatisfactory and insufficient and is referring Belgium to the Court of Justice of the European Union.

Source: European Commission