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EU gives Poland deadline to halt highway plan

28 Feb 2007 14:44:05 GMT
Source: Reuters

BRUSSELS, Feb 28 (Reuters) - The European Commission on Wednesday gave Poland a week to halt work on a planned highway through a protected environmental area that is home to rare flora and wildlife, or face a court action.

The European Union's executive, speeding up legal measures it can take when a member state violates EU law, sent a final warning to Warsaw and set a tight deadline for a response in an effort to avoid "irreversible damage" to forests and animals.

Poland wants to build a section of a highway linking Warsaw to Helsinki via the Baltic states through the northeastern Rospuda Valley, one of Europe's unique peat lands, which is home to rare plants and wildlife.

The area is recognised by Brussels and Warsaw as having special environmental interest and has protected status under the union's Natura 2000 network of conservation sites.

EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said Brussels supported building road infrastructure in Poland, but not at the cost of the environment.

"What the Commission does not accept is the irreversible damage that will be caused by the bypasses in the Rospuda Valley. It is neither necessary nor justified," he said.

He urged Poland to withdraw authorisation to begin construction on the site. "It's simple: they should not cut down the trees," he said.

Poland says it is not breaking EU law and Environment Minister Jan Szyszko said this week he was ready to go to court over the matter.

If the Commission judges Poland as failing to respond adequately to its warning, the EU executive plans to bring a case before the European Court of Justice.

The court can issue an order to stop construction while it mulls the case. If Poland does not comply, the Commission can launch a new round of legal proceedings, which could lead to court-ordered fines.

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Last updated:Wed Feb 28 14:44:16 2007