The European Commission (CE) filed an appeal against Spain for failing to comply with its own obligations relating to the correct use of nitrates and fertilizers in some autonomous communities, including the Valencian Community, as reported yesterday by the Official Journal of the European Union (DOUE).
Specifically, the EC is asking for a cost order for Spain because in Castilla y León, Extremadura, Galicia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Madrid and the Valencian Community “there are still areas that have not been designated as vulnerable to nitrates.” This “despite the fact that the data obtained through the pollution control network caused by nitrates of agricultural origin justify their designation / inclusion”.
The EC also considers that Spain has not taken the necessary measures to address the trend of increasing contamination in nitrate vulnerable zones in Aragon, Castilla-La Mancha, Castilla y León and Murcia.
in the various autonomies
On the other hand, the EC argues that the action programs of Aragon, Castile-La Mancha, Castile and León, Extremadura and Madrid “they do not contain sufficient measures in relation to the application of fertilizers to sloping and steep land”, as enshrined in the European directive. For all these circumstances, the European authority has asked for a sentence to pay for Spain.
Similarly, Extremadura abounds that measures are still lacking on the temporary storage of solid manure in the field, on the registration of fertilization and in relation to the maximum quantity of authorized manure per hectare that will be applied to the soil.
And it is also specified that the The Madrid action program does not contain the necessary measures in relation to the temporary storage of solid fertilizers on the ground.
Finally, the EC criticizes Spain for not having taken the necessary measures to remedy eutrophication in the whole country, despite the available data showing that the measures envisaged in the action programs are not sufficient to reduce and prevent pollution.
For all these reasons, the European authority has asked for Spain to be ordered to pay the costs.
