Press Release: Environment: European Commission urges Italy to address severe pollution issues at Europe’s biggest steel plant

The European Commission decided on the 16 October 2014 to take further steps against Italy in an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the ILVA steel plant in Taranto (hereafter ' ILVA '), Europe's largest iron and steel works.

Italy was failing to ensure that ILVA operated in conformity with EU legislation on industrial emissions, with potentially serious consequences for human health and the environment. The Commission had previously sent Italy two letters of formal notice, in September 2013 and April 2014, urging the Italian authorities to take measures in order to bring the operation of the ILVA plant into compliance with the Industrial Emissions Directive and other applicable EU environmental law.

• Primary Source

European Commission: RAPID: MEMO/14/589: October infringements package: main decisions http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-14-589_en.htm

ESO: Background information: Environment: European Commission urges Italy to bring a steel plant in Taranto up to environmental standards http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-environment-european-commission-urges-italy-to-bring-a-steel-plant-in-taranto-up-to-environmental-standards/

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