Strasbourg, 23rd October 2007 -- The European Commission has reopened infringement proceedings against Spain over intolerable air pollution

The CEPSA oil refinery was the subject of a meeting held today in Strasbourg between Gibraltar MEP Neil Parish and European environment commissioner, Stavros Dimas. In a surprise move, the Commissioner told Mr Parish that the European Commission was reopening infringement proceedings against the Spanish government for breaching the EU’s Air Quality Directive 1999 due to excessive levels of PM10 in the atmosphere. Spain’s reported hourly concentrations exceed 1000 ìg/m3 - levels almost three times above the EU limit

Mr Parish also presented the Commissioner with an almost 14,000 strong petition of local residents organized by “La Plataforma por El Estudio Epidemiologico”, calling for health studies to be carried out to assess the impact of CEPSA pollution on Rock residents. He also submitted a technical report on the refinery that he commissioned, which was produced by Denny Larson of the Global Community Monitor and the Bucket Brigade. The meeting had been scheduled for earlier this year, but was postponed because the Commissioner required an operation.

Mr Parish has been actively involved in the campaign to ensure the refinery’s emissions do not violate European environmental law. In September 2006, he toured the refinery and has held several positive meetings with CEPSA officials. Now he is calling on the European Union to get more involved in cracking down on emissions that many scientists say are responsible for increased incidences of cancer, asthma, thyroid problems and leukemias in the communities alongside – including Gibraltar. In July La Junta announced that a six month independent inspection of the Refinery and its emissions was underway.

Mr Parish said:

“I am pleased the European Commission has entered the first stages of legal proceedings against Spain for these massive breaches of air quality. This legal action will hopefully focus the minds of the Spanish government, and encourage them to force CEPSA into taking action to reduce pollution.

“Whenever I have been near the refinery, I can feel the chemicals on my skin. It is totally unreasonable for people to have to live under such conditions both in that part of Spain and Gibraltar. I asked the Commissioner to consider carrying out a European Union epidemiological study to investigate the effects of the refinery.

“The quality of our air is not a Spain versus Gibraltar issue. It affects all of us, and so the EU needs to act against polluters.”