Malta, makeshift waste landfills

Parliamentary Questions

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3321/03

Submission: Anna Karamanou (PSE) to the Commission

(31 October 2003)

Subject: Makeshift landfills for waste disposal in Malta

E-3321/03EL

Response from Ms. Wallström

on behalf of the Commission

(23.12.2003)

The Commission has not been informed by the Government of Malta regarding the planned waste disposal sites in Malta.

During the accession negotiations, Malta committed to fulfilling the provisions of the Landfill Directive [1] by ^{1 May} 2004. In the period leading up to this date, the Commission will monitor Malta’s progress in transposing the directive into national law and its implementation, as well as the fulfillment of the commitments made during the negotiations.

Regarding the protection of the natural and cultural heritage in the area of the makeshift landfills, the decision on the siting of the landfills remains the responsibility of the national authorities, but it must meet the general requirements of Annex I of the directive.

Once Malta becomes a member state, the Commission will ensure compliance with the directive in the same way it does for all other member states.

[1] Directive 1999/31/EC of the Council of 26 April 1999 on the landfill of waste