Following the UK’s approval of the discharge of raw sewage into the Channel and the North Sea, three French MEPs are urging Brussels to take action against the country.
The trio, which consists of all supporters of President Emmanuel Macron’s pro-EU Renaissance party, has charged the UK of failing to uphold its environmental promises.
After heavy rains prompted sewage overflows to be dumped into rivers and the sea, pollution alerts have been issued for over 50 beaches in England and Wales.
In a letter to the European Commission, the MEPs said that the overflow is seen as a danger to the French coast and might impact marine biodiversity, fishing, and shellfish farming.
The UK is still a signatory to United Nations agreements on preserving shared water, they said, despite no longer being subject to EU legislation.
They also urged the commission to “take all political and legal measures” to stop the sewage leaks in Britain.
MEP Pierre Karleskind said that the UK could not be permitted to jeopardise the 20 years of advancement in water quality.