Germany made mistakes in waste dispute with Poland: EC

Germany has made mistakes in the dispute with Poland over allegedly illegal German waste exports, the European Commission said on Wednesday, reported dpa.

During the Polish election campaign in the summer, Warsaw had complained about alleged illegal exports of waste from Germany to Poland.

About 35,000 tonnes of illegal waste from Germany were delivered to seven landfills in Poland, Environment Minister Anna Moskwa said at the time.

The federal government in Berlin had pointed out that German states are responsible for ordering the return transport of illegally shipped waste.

According to the European Commission, Germany breached EU legal obligations by not taking back waste from two sites, a press release said.

No infringements could be found at the five other sites, also due to lack of sufficient evidence.

The commission noted that cooperation between the two countries had not been optimal at times.

Poland now has the option to sue Germany at the EU's Court of Justice in Luxembourg.