Brussels is planning to discuss starting penalty procedures against Bulgaria for the incorrect implementation of the Pollution Control and Prevention Directive. The measures are being considered because of violations of environmental law and because of the delay in implementing  the emergency number 112.

A European Commission (EC) internal document foresees new penalties for the country in the environmental sector, Bulgarian language daily Dnevnik reported. According to the report, the EC is working on four complaints against Bulgaria and six violations, which the EC has discovered itself. By March 28, any potential future measures will be discussed and a decision is expected by April 2.

The list of violations include the incorrect implementation of the Pollution Control and Prevention Directive. Brussels has accused Bulgaria in not issuing a complex permit before the deadline of October 30 2007. The preliminary report does not refer specifically to Kremikovtzi steel mill but two claims against the lack of the factory’s permit were filed with the EC.

The penalty procedures for breaking the environmental law in Bulgaria related to the lack of proper facilities to store Sofia’s waste and the delay in providing information on the measures Bulgaria will take to limit greenhouse gases, in accordance to Kyoto Protocol.

On April 2, the EC will also announce whether it will proceed with other penalty procedures against Bulgaria, including any related to the delay of implementing the 112 emergency number. Brussels is expected to send a motivated decision on the case, which would also be the last measure before initiating court proceedings against Bulgaria in the European Court. Usually, after starting this measure, a country has two months before the EC takes the case reaches court.

According to Disaster Management Minister Emel Etem, the emergency number will start working throughout Bulgaria by the end of 2009.