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20 Mar 2001
The European Ombudsman (EO) has found the European Commission (EC) guilty of maladministration in refusing to provide FOE with information the EC holds on the UK Government's failure to comply with the Habitats, the Waste Framework and the Hazardous Waste Directives. The move follows complaints made by Friends of the Earth.
Friends of the Earth complained to the European Ombudsman last year after the EC refused to provide FOE with full copies of twoindependent studies that had been commissioned by the EC on the UK's compliance with the respective Directives. The EC provided partial copies only,blanking out in thick black ink, page after page.
The EO's decision is a significant victory in the public's attempt to increase the transparency and accountability of the EC, and for increasing the pressure on the UK Government to comply with environmental law.
The Commission has, subsequently, commenced investigations against the UK Government in respect of these Directives. Disclosure of the information will assist the public in assessing the extent to which the Commission has followed independent advice, and the extent to which the UK is complying with these Directives. The Commission has until 30th June 2001 to submit an opinion in response.
Peter Roderick, Friends of the Earth's Legal Advisor said:
"It is scandalous that the European Commission has been trying to keep the UK's failure to comply with European law a secret. We are delighted that the European Ombudsman has found in our favour. This is an important ruling which the Commission must now respect. We now expect to receive the reports in full. This is a clear signal that yet another example of the Commission's democratic deficit will not be tolerated."
Contact details:
Friends of the Earth
26-28 Underwood St.
LONDON
N1 7JQ
Tel: 020 7490 1555
Fax: 020 7490 0881
Web: www.foe.co.uk/feedback.html
Media team
