Judgment of the Court (Fifth Chamber) of 29 April 1999.

The Queen v Secretary of State for the Environment and Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, ex parte H.A. Standley and Others and D.G.D. Metson and Others.

Reference for a preliminary ruling: High Court of Justice (England & Wales), Queen's Bench Division - United Kingdom.

Directive 91/676/EEC - Protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources - Identification of waters affected by pollution - Designation of vulnerable zones - Criteria - Validity in the light of the polluter pays principle, the principle that environmental damage should as a priority be rectified at source, the principle of proportionality and the right to property.

Case C-293/97.

Reports of Cases

1999 I-02603