EU warns Germany over nitrate pollution of water

The European Commission warned Germany on Thursday to meet a European Court of Justice ruling to protect its waters against nitrate pollution or potentially face fines. In June 2018, the Court of Justice of the EU ruled that Germany violated EU law by failing to protect its waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources.

The Commission said Germany was still in breach of the court ruling. "Germany's subsequent actions have not fully remedied the deficiencies identified by the court," the Commission, the EU executive, said in a statement. The Commission did not say in its statement if it has asked the court to consider fines, but under the EU's so-called infringement procedure, financial penalties of either a daily payment or a lump sum can eventually be imposed.

Also Read: Austria confirms it wants Hahn to remain its European commissioner