For example, Ireland risks an EU fine because it has not correctly transposed the Water Framework Directive into national law. Other countries face legal proceedings for failing to prevent invasive non-native plant species from damaging European nature.
The legal procedures now initiated are partly a result of the new rules in the European agricultural policy and biodiversity policy, as incorporated in the new food strategy. Even before the Green Deal and Climate Policy, the EU had determined that member states must reduce groundwater pollution.
At the end of last year, the European Commission decided that the Netherlands can no longer gradually use the manure derogation because it has done too little against nitrate pollution of soil water.
European environmental policy is established at the EU level, but control and enforcement must be carried out by the member states themselves. Previously, Germany had to drastically limit manure spreading under pressure from threatened EU multimillion-euro fines.
Bulgaria, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Latvia are now also criticized because they do not sufficiently implement EU rules. The EU Water Directive aims to protect surface waters from further deterioration and pollution. It also requires ecosystems and resources to be protected and improved. The EU directive states that all waters must achieve at least a good status by 2027 at the latest.
According to the Commission, Ireland and the other five member states have not drawn up an action plan to address the introduction and spread of non-native plant species. Additionally, Estonia must take measures to better manage its Natura 2000 areas and comply with the obligations of the Habitats Directive.
Despite progress in some areas in several EU countries, the Commission said the countries now challenged had not fully addressed the previously expressed European criticism with adequate action plans.
Bulgaria and Slovakia must also fear fines because they are dragging their feet on European rules for the greening of their energy. The European Commission is taking both countries to the European Court of Justice and demands "financial sanctions." Both countries have not implemented any part of the EU legislation on renewable energy such as wind and solar energy.
None of the 27 member states have implemented all parts of that energy directive on time, but according to Brussels, Bulgaria and Slovakia are particularly negligent. After multiple warnings, the daily EU administration is now going to the European court. That court can impose fines and penalty payments.