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Stockholm Åkeri AB

Country/Territory
Sweden
Type of court
National - higher court
Date
Jun 17, 2009
Source
UNEP, InforMEA
Court name
Miljööverdomstolen
Seat of court
Stockholm
Reference number
M1966-08
Language
Swedish
Subject
Wild species & ecosystems
Abstract

A company, Stockolm Åkeri AB, applied for a permit for gravel extraction. They had previously operated in the area but paused the production during several years in which new permits were sought. A permit was given by the Environmental Court, but it was appealed to the Environmental Court of Appeal by several parties including environmental organisations.

The appellants meant that there were risks of environmental damage should the gravel extraction be permitted. One of the main risks, they meant, was the existence of two bee species, classified as vulnerable. The furthermore meant that the precautionary principle had not been taken into account when granting the permit.

The Environmental Court of Appeal concluded that the presence of the two vulnerable bee species did not preclude that a permit was granted. However, they chose to condition the permit in order to make sure that no harm was done to the species. The condition included that the company make sure that the bees were studied before the extraction was commenced. The Environmental Court of Appeal also decided that the study concluded would be used as a basis for the review of the operations and that it would be looked at in case of a revision of the permit and possible after treatments needed.

Full text
M1966-08.pdf