Francisco Guerreiro against coal mine in Poland

Lisbon, 7 August 2020 - The Greens/European Free Alliance (Greens/EFA) MEP supports the application by the European Commission of an infringement procedure against Poland because of the prolonged activity of the Polish Turów mine and the associated water drainage.

Following a petition against the prolonged activity of the Polish Turów mine, MEP Francisco Guerreiro added his name to a letter sent to the European Commission calling for a stop to this dangerous mining operation, which is threatening the supply of potable water for the surrounding communities.

It also urges the Commission to start an infringement procedure against Poland and submit the case to the European Court of Justice.

The decision to prolonge the mining licence until 2026, with the intention to continue mining until 2044, was taken without the participation of Czechia, Germany or civil society organisations. It was also taken without any environmental impact assessment, while several studies examining the impacts of Turow mine on underground water levels in German neighborrow of the mine, clearly shows the link between the mine and lower levels of water.

“In addition to endangering the access to potable water of the surrounding communities [Germany and Czechia], the Polish Turów mine is violating several EU directives, including the Water Framework Directive, the Environment Impact Assessment Directive, the Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive and the Environmental Liability Directive,” the signatories write.

Read the full letter below.

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