The European Commission has given Italy two months to address severe pollution issues at the Taranto-based Ilva steel plant, Europe's largest iron and steel works.
The Commission had previously sent Italy two letters of formal notice, in September 2013 and April 2014, urging the Italian authorities to take measures in order to bring the operation of the Ilva plant into compliance with the Industrial Emissions Directive and other applicable EU environmental law. Although some shortcomings have been addressed, a number of breaches of the Industrial Emissions Directive remain.
According to the Commission's statement, most of the problems stem from a failure to reduce the high level of uncontrolled emissions generated during the steel production process. Ilva does have a permit for its activities, but it is failing to adhere to the requirements in a number of areas.