Former Ilva of Taranto: the Court of Appeal of Milan confirms the stop to the hot area

The Civil Court of Appeal of Milan confirmed the stop of the hot area of ​​the former Ilva in Taranto. The panel of judges has in fact reiterated, for the second time, the provision with which in July the shutdown of the former Ilva blast furnaces was ordered, to be implemented by the end of October.

The Court thus rejected the request for suspension presented by Acciaierie d'Italia and Ilva in extraordinary administration, which had requested to suspend the decision on the blocking of the hot area in view of the Cassation hearing, to which they appealed, already set for 20 October.

The judges: "The right to health prevails over economic interest"

In the provision, the judges reiterated that the "danger" resulting from "the possible 'switching off' of the blast furnaces" must yield "with respect to the pre-eminent right to health with a view to the necessary balancing of opposing interests". The protection of "the right to health", in fact, is "in any case prevalent, in due respect of the interpretation given at a community level, as well as of the constitutional provisions themselves".

The parties' discussion was held on September 30th before the judges. The deputy prosecutor Angelo Renna had also asked to reject the new request for suspension, after the one already rejected on 11 September. The lawyers of the former Ilva and AdI, however, had reiterated their reasons, namely "the irreparable damage" due to the shutdown, asking for time until after the judgment of the Supreme Court.

According to the Court, "the setting of the hearing" of the Supreme Court does not change anything compared to the previous measures which indicated the prevalence of the right to health, given the harmful emissions of the plants and the presence of asbestos. As we read again, nothing changes "compared to the past regarding the substantial protection of the interests involved" and the setting of that hearing is only "merely consequential to the presentation of the extraordinary appeals before the Supreme Court of Cassation".

Lawyer for the citizens of Taranto: "Health wins again"

"Health still wins over an economic prejudice judged to be increasingly weak and specious", declared the lawyer Ascanio Amenduni, lawyer for the citizens of Taranto who brought the civil case before the Milanese judges, business section.