CROSS BORDER ISSUES
CUESTIONES TRANSFRONTERIZAS
Co-operation: and contact continues between the
ESG and Spanish Environmental NGOs. Long-term
objectives shared include for a moratorium on industry
and the need for an independent and rigorous
cross border epidemiological study. Work is ongoing.
Complaint: the ESG acts as a watchdog on regional
environmental issues and continues to file detailed
complaints to the EU on the transgressions of pollution
spikes usually from the CEPSA Oil Refinery.
In February 2017 we lodged another complaint of
excessive flaring by this industry, which was investigated
against a background of our long-term complaints,
and information lodged with the EU since
2002, with the assistance of Hassan’s International
Law Firm.
Western Beach: since April 2010, Western Beach
has seen appalling and illegal levels of sewage
contamination from a storm drain diversion pipe
in La Linea. The ESG has campaigned hard on
this on several levels. The contamination continues
after a brief interlude of improvement,
especially during the non-bathing months - mid
September to mid-April - when rainfall usually
results in high levels of faecal contamination
and E Coli. 9 years later and we still have this
problem! Major MoD housing development has
recently been constructed to the east of the
beach, which may flag up issues of foul smells
from the area over time. With the impending exit
from the EU, we will no longer have MEPs to try
and get EU support for attempting resolution of
these cross-border environment and health problems.
A serious worry indeed.
Decline of Existing Spanish Environmental
Protection Measures and Regulations.
This situation is now producing grave concerns for
our regional environment and must be challenged by
Spain’s own environmental networks.
Concerns include:
- The dismantling of the Junta de Andalucía’s Consejeria
de Medio Ambiente thereby weakening an already
poor oversight of environmental management
of the Bays chemical industries and other practices.
- Expansion of petrochemical industry despite the
Europe wide call for action on the Climate Change
Crisis
- Major infill and reclamation at Algeciras port for
fuel storage and container storage in an already
congested part of the bay – destroying ecosystems
and removing important feeding areas for migratory
marine life.
- Multiple large urbanisation projects approved to
be built along the protected and valued Costa de la
Luz coastline.
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OTWO 12 / JULY 2020