Official complaint submitted by The Left sparks EU investigation
The Left welcomes the announcement that the European Ombudsman has launched an official inquiry into the European Commission’s handling of an infringement procedure regarding Italy’s failure to properly implement EU environmental laws at the Ilva steel plant in Taranto.
The inquiry comes as a result of a complaint spearheaded by Left MEP Valentina Palmisano, together with local activists. Elevated cancer, morbidity and mortality rates have been pervasive among steelworkers and local residents in the surroundings of the plant, to the point that in 2022 the United Nations classified Taranto as a “human sacrifice zone”.
Valentina Palmisano (Movimento 5 Stelle, Italy) commented on the announcement today: “The European Ombudsman’s investigation will determine whether the European Commission has been guilty of maladministration, a serious charge. The citizens of Puglia have long sought the truth about how serious damage to their health could have occurred with the EU’s knowledge. Today, thanks to the tireless work of the associations we worked with to submit this complaint, we have reached an important milestone.”
The Ombudsman has requested that the Commission provide a reply on the complaint, including clarifying why the infringement procedure has been ongoing for 12 years with no progress.
