site.btaEuropean Commission Asks Bulgaria to Limit Citizens' Exposure to Sulphur Dioxide

123 ENVIRONMENT-EC-BULGARIA

European Commission Asks Bulgaria to Limit
Citizens'
Exposure to Sulphur Dioxide


Brussels, November 26 (BTA corr. Nikolay Jeliazkov) - The
European Commission is urging Bulgaria to reduce ambient
levels of sulphur dioxide (SO2), an air pollutant from
industrial installations that can cause respiratory problems and
aggravate cardiovascular disease. The infringement concerns
Bulgaria's breach of the Air Quality Directive, which obliges
Member States to observe both the hourly and daily limit values
for exposure, as well as to establish air quality plans setting
out appropriate measures to reduce SO2 levels. Citizens in two
zones, one in the south west and the other in the south east of
the country, have been exposed to excessive levels of SO2 since
at least 2007. While the measures taken in zone South-West to
meet limit values were efficient enough to achieve compliance
with EU legislation in 2013, excessive levels of harmful
pollutants persist in zone South-East, causing continued damage
to human health.

With Wednesday's action, technically an additional reasoned
opinion,
the Commission is asking Bulgaria to take forward-looking,
speedy and effective action to keep the period of non-compliance
as short as possible. If Bulgaria fails to act within two
months, the case may be referred to the EU Court of Justice.

The EC has also officially requested Bulgaria to
adopt the necessary rules to set up penalties in case of
violation of Regulation (EU) No. 255/2010. The Regulation
establishes common rules for the management of air traffic flows
in the EU. It specifically requires airlines to respect the
flight plans and airport slots assigned to them, and Member
States to establish penalties in case of violation. A national
penalty system is necessary to combat the use of abusive or
multiple flight plans, and the misuse of airport slots. These
practices decrease the efficiency of the air traffic management
with negative effects on operators (fuel costs, delays) and on
the environment.

The national legislation had to be in place by September 2011,
but Bulgaria has failed so far to do so. The request has been
sent in the form of a reasoned opinion under the EU infringement
procedures. Bulgaria has two months to notify the Commission of
the measures taken to apply the Regulation; otherwise the
Commission may decide to refer Bulgaria to the EU's Court of
Justice. LY /ZH/