Protecting the Alberoni Dunes

Question for written answer  E-000737/2021
to the Commission
Rule 138
Eleonora Evi (Verts/ALE)

Bathing facilities catering primarily for a neighbouring accommodation complex are to be built in a location that falls within the system of the Alberoni Dunes and is therefore protected under Directives 92/43/EEC and 2009/147/EC as part of special protection/conservation zone ZSC/ZPS IT3250023 in the municipality of Venice. This area houses one of the best-preserved dune systems on the northern Adriatic coast, and one of the few that remains in northern Italy.

The human activity has got underway on the basis of a building permit that included no environmental impact assessment, and has resulted in land consumption and digging for the installation of sewage pipes, thus undermining the protection of the dunes in an area that constitutes a habitat of key EU interest to rare species such as the Kentish plover.

The likely rise in anthropogenic pressure will increase the impact on a very delicate area, which is home to vegetation not found elsewhere in the Mediterranean.

Italy is subject to infringement procedure 2015/2163 for violating Directive 92/43/EEC. The grounds cited include its failure to set binding conservation measures to protect natural areas of Union concern.

In the light of the above:

What action does the Commission intend to take to ensure the protection of the Alberoni Dunes in ZSC/ZPS IT3250023 and thus stop the Italian authorities from ever more wilfully disregarding their obligations under EU law?