Environment minister Mr Corrado Clini warned that uncertainty about the future of Taranto's ILVA steel plant is putting Italy's entire industrial system is at risk. The government and the company are fighting a court order to close parts of the plant until it is upgraded to meet international standards following concerns that for years it has generated pollution which threatens the health of workers and local residents.
The company said closure would threaten the Taranto plant, which employs 12,000 people, as well as the jobs of many other people in the related supply chain.
Mr Bruno Ferrante chairman of ILVA, who appealed the latest closure, has maintained he can keep the plant operating while the essential upgrades are made.
Mr Clini said that "The uncertainty created by various court orders which run counter to government policy, puts at risk the entire Italian industrial system. The situation is likely to create uncertainty that affects the entire Italian industrial system and reliability for foreign investment. We are not seeking confrontation, but clarity of roles and responsibilities. In Italy and throughout Europe the authorities responsible for environmental protection and monitoring of pollutants are identified by law, as well as the directives. No law assigns this duty to the court."
At least two other related plants are threatened with closure if Taranto shuts. ILVA chairman Mr Bruno Ferrante formally lodged a petition challenging the latest closure order, which came last weekend. Ferrante filed two appeals against orders by magistrate Patrizia Todisco, on August 10th 2012 and August 11th 2012 which would essentially close the plant. Clini said that he hopes a meeting slated for this Friday in Taranto involving several cabinet ministers can solve these issues, making it easier to manage business. The minister said closing the plant's furnaces would effectively take it off the market, given the length of time it takes to shut them down and then fire them up again.
Mr Clini also said the World Health Organization will help to monitor pollution levels as the ILVA plant makes essential upgrades to clean itself up. He added that "I have asked the WHO to collaborate in controls on pollution in Taranto, specifically the European Centre for Environment and Health in Copenhagen, and I had confirmation (of this) yesterday."
Challenge by ILVA followed an announcement by justice minister Mr Paola Severino that her office is considering contesting the court orders.
Mr Severino added that she hoped that a solution to the need to balance environmental needs with those of employment and public health factors can and should be found. This is the path that the government intends to undertake. Earlier court orders saw several company executives placed under house arrest by magistrates. The case has bounced between courts as prosecutors, local citizens, and the Greens political party has fought to close the plant while the government and unions work to keep it open as it undergoes a EUR 336 million cleanup. Premier Mr Mario Monti's government, like the previous Mr Silvio Berlusconi government, wants to muzzle the magistrates in Taranto, who are doing their duty fighting serious crime and pollution that cause illness and death."
Source - ANSA
(www.steelguru.com)
