The European Court of Justice has condemned Greece for the operation of a landfill site within the national marine park in Zakynthos. According to the ECJ, Greece has violated EU environmental legislation, as the saturated landfill site is harming the habitat of the Caretta Caretta sea turtle, among others.
The landfill site had been operating since 1999 and in 2006 the marine park was included in the Natura 2000 network of protected areas due to the endangered sea turtles. Despite proposals and drafting plans to move the site elsewhere though, Greece has not complied with the relevant legislation and the site continues to operate, with the Greek State even renewing the site’s license in violation of EU law.
Greece had also been condemned by the European Court in 2002 for failing to introduce an efficient system of protection for the endangered sea turtles. Under European law, Greece is obliged to preserve its natural habits.
