EU Commissioner concerned about crisis in Campania

Reacting to recent media reports on the waste management crisis in Naples and the Campania region, EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik said he is “very concerned that so little, if any, progress had been achieved” since the EU Commission opened an infringement procedure against Italy in 2007. The procedure led to a ruling of the European Court of Justice in 2010 which found Italy in breach of EU legislation. Mr Potocnik pointed out that the absence of “real improvements” leaves the Commission with little choice but to actively pursue a second infringement procedure, which may lead to financial sanctions for the country. “I would hope that Italian authorities at all levels take the matter in hand so that tax payers’ money goes to improving the situation on the ground rather than to paying fines,” the Environment Commissioner said.