Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002535/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Per Clausen (The Left)
The Danish Minister for the Environment has admitted[1] that Denmark has failed to comply with both Danish and EU environmental regulations for 14 years by failing to set limit values for toxic substances (including PCBs and heavy metals) in fish and mussels, and in the seabed. It has therefore been impossible to assess how polluted Denmark’s coastal waters have actually been.[2]
A memo from 2020[3] pointed out that this has meant, among other things, that it is not possible to adequately assess the state of the marine environment and comply with the EU’s water framework and marine strategy framework directives.
This is despite the fact that Danish officials have been trying to warn successive ministers about the problem since at least 2011.
This is an extremely serious matter that casts an even worse light on the problems that Denmark has had in implementing the water framework directives.
In the light of the foregoing:
- 1.Does the Commission have an overview of how many breaches of EU law Denmark’s practices have resulted in since 2011?
- 2.How do the revelations concerning the lack of action and the infringement of – among other things – EU regulations over a 14‑year period affect the assessment of Denmark’s failure to implement the Water Framework Directive?
- 3.Has the Commission received a plan from Denmark on how the country intends to bring itself into line with EU legislation?
Submitted: 24.6.2025
- [1] https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/eksperter-miljoeministeriet-har-i-aarevis-bevidst-brudt-regler-om-forurening-af
- [2] https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/indland/afsloering-embedsmaend-har-i-14-aar-advaret-om-miljoeministeriet-skjuler-forurening
- [3] https://effektivtlandbrug.landbrugnet.dk/artikler/politik/113567/i-14-aar-har-embedsmaend-forsoegt-at-raabe-politikerne-op-om-havforurening