HC Deb 28 October 2003 vol 412 cc162-3W
Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs which EU directives relating to environmental matters would incur a financial penalty if the commitments were not met; and how much each fine would be, per annum. [133261]

Mr. Bradshaw

Failure by any part of the UK to observe EU obligations may lead to enforcement action being taken by the European Commission in the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

If a member state fails to take the necessary measures to comply with the judgment of the European Court of Justice within the time limit specified, the member state may incur either a lump sum penalty or a daily penalty payment. The penalty payment would be based on a uniform flat rate amount, multiplied by two coefficients, one reflecting the seriousness of the infringement, and the other the duration. This would then be multiplied by a factor reflecting the ability of the member state to pay and the number of votes it has in Council.