The European Court of Justice has ruled that the notorious Ilva steel plant in the southern Italian city of Taranto should be shut down if it poses serious and significant threats to the environment and human health.
The plant, now known as Acciaierie d’Italia (ADI) but often referred to by its old name “Ilva”, has faced legal challenges over its environmental and health impacts for years. It was placed under government administration in February, ending the involvement of ArcelorMittal, with the aim of finding new private investors.
The EU court’s ruling stated that “where there are serious and significant threats to the integrity of the environment and human health … the operation of the installation must be suspended.” The court did not explicitly call for the plant to be halted, but said the decision lies with the Milan district court that had asked the EU judges for a ruling.
The Taranto Parents Association, which is promoting the legal action against the steelworks before the Milan court, welcomed the ruling, saying it went beyond their expectations.
The EU court criticized Italy for repeatedly extending operations at the plant on the basis of foreseeable emissions, stating that if actual emissions prove to exceed acceptable limits, output should be suspended. The court pointed out that the close link between the protection of the environment and human health are key objectives of EU law.
Measures to reduce the health hazards posed by the Ilva plant have been planned since 2012, but implementation deadlines have been regularly pushed back. The EU court’s ruling puts pressure on Italy to address the serious environmental and health risks associated with the plant.