Experts from the Regional Inspectorate for Environment and Waters in Veliko Turnovo and the National Environmental Guard of Romania conducted in the period 25th-26th June 2013 joint inspections for control of cross-border transportation of waste along the Danube river at three border crossings – Zimnicea – Svishtov, Giurgiu- Ruse and Călăraşi – Silistra.
The inspections aim at exchanging experience and good practices in controlling the application of Regulation EC № 1013/2006 of European Parliament and Council regarding transportation of waste. Bulgaria and Romania as member-states of European Union must apply, in particular, that specific part of European legislation concerning waste management which is defined as being a key priority in EU Environmental policy.
Conduction of documentation and visual inspections aims at acknowledging the procedures applied and control regimes introduced in relation to the transportation of waste depending on the origin, destination and route, types of waste transported as well as the manner of treatment employed for waste at their destination place.
At border crossing Giurgiu-Ruse the experts inspected approximately between 30 and 40 vehicles, while at the border crossing Călăraşi – Silistra – about 10 vehicles – trucks and minibuses. In one of the vehicles was ascertained lack of notification by Romanian party and the case was reported to the respective competent authorities. For the rest of the vehicles no violations were found. At border crossing Zimnicea – Svishtov the experts met very limited traffic. An inspection of a long vehicle TIR was carried out that transported leather clothes from Turkey to Denmark. During that inspection no violation was found.
Inspections and the expert discussions held about the results show that both countries Bulgaria and Romania directly apply Regulation 1013/2006, possess good practices for monitoring and strictly control the observation of the requirements in relation to waste transportation within the boundaries of the Community. The growth in the volume of cross-border movement of waste is a result from the fact that all waste is traded as second hand raw material, surrogate for valuable natural resources and energy sources. On the other hand, waste transportation, hazardous waste in particular, can possibly turn into a threat to both human health and the environment.
The inspections were completed in cooperation with both Romanian and Bulgarian customs offices that provided full assistance to environmental inspectors.
The work visit is yet another one of the joint activities between partners in the framework of the Strategic project „Joint Risk Monitoring during Emergencies in the Danube Area Border“, MIS-ETC Code: 166 financed under the Crossborder Cooperation Programme Romania-Bulgaria 2007-2013.
