Commission urges FRANCE to step up efforts to restore the ecological flow of the Rhine River
The Commission is calling on France to comply with its obligations under EU law (the Water Framework Directive, Directive 2000/60/EC. The Commission urges the French authorities to improve the condition of the Rhine River on its territory to ensuring ecological continuity, namely allowing fish species to migrate beyond dams. Under the Directive, adopted in October 2000, Member States agreed to take measures to ensure that water bodies achieve good ecological status by 2015. EU countries have to comply with a number of conditions set out in the EU legislation, regarding biodiversity, pollution, and natural flow. The deadline may be extended under certain conditions, but the Commission is concerned that France has not provided sufficient justifications for postponing the date of compliance. In addition, the French authorities have not provided a timetable with a programme for meeting these EU norms. France now has two months to address the Commission’s concerns. Otherwise, the Commission may decide to send a reasoned opinion.
https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/EN/INF_19_4251
Remember : ERN supported by the international Salmon Comeback Coalition (NGOs) filed an EU complaint against France end of 2018. ERNs complaint is directed at France due to the infringement of the Water Frame Directive