Press Release: Environment: European Commission urges Greece to comply with Court ruling on illegal landfills

The European Commission is urging Greece to implement a European Court of Justice ruling concerning illegal landfills. Despite being condemned by the Court in 2005 for not taking enough measures to close down and rehabilitate all existing illegal landfills, several hundred continue to operate across the country. At the recommendation of Janez Potočnik, Commissioner for Environment, the Commission has decided to issue a complementary letter of formal notice under ongoing infringement proceedings. If the appropriate action is not taken by the Greek authorities, the Commission may decide to refer the case back to Court and request financial penalties.