The European Ombudsman has launched an inquiry into the European Commission’s handling of a 12-year-long pollution case linked to the Ilva steel plant in Taranto, southern Italy, EuroNews first reported.
The case centres on the Acciaierie d’Italia plant, still widely known by its former name Ilva, which has been the subject of EU infringement proceedings since 2013 for violating environmental standards under the Industrial Emissions Directive.
Campaigners have accused the Commission of failing to act decisively over the years, despite evidence of serious pollution in the area surrounding the plant. The site has been linked to contamination of soil and water and to unusually high rates of cancer in the local population.
On 4 June, Left MEP Valentina Palmisano and activists Alessandro Marescotti and Luciano Manna from the NGO PeaceLink submitted a formal complaint to the European Ombudsman. Ombudsman Teresa Anjinho has since written to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, confirming the opening of an official inquiry.
Prolonged exposure to health risks
According to EuroNews, the complaint alleges that the Commission’s delays and lack of transparency have hindered accountability and prolonged the exposure of Taranto residents to health risks. The Commission is also accused of failing to escalate the matter to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
In a letter dated 11 July, Anjinho requested a written response from the Commission by 30 September, detailing all actions taken since the original infringement notice was issued in 2013. Her office will also inspect the full Commission file on the case, including internal documents and correspondence with the Italian government.
Despite issuing a second formal notice to Italy in May this year, following an 11-year pause, the Commission has not yet taken the next step in the infringement process. Italy had two months to respond to the latest warning, but it is unclear whether a reply was submitted. A spokesperson for the Left in the European Parliament said freedom of information requests seeking access to the documents were denied on confidentiality grounds.
In comments to EuroNews, the Commission insisted it has maintained “constructive and effective” relations with the Ombudsman and continues to push Italy to comply with EU environmental law.
“The Italian authorities must take action,” said a Commission spokesperson, urging the country to update its legislation and fix deficiencies in the plant’s operating permit.
An environmental plan intended to restore compliance by August 2023 has still not been fully implemented, the Commission added.
