Poland heads for EU clash over highway plan

BRUSSELS, Feb 26 (Reuters) Poland headed for a showdown with the European Union today, rejecting demands by the bloc's executive that it halt a planned highway through a nature conservation area due to environmental concerns.

The European Commission said unless construction was stopped it would ask the EU's highest court to order a halt, but Polish Environment Minister Jan Szyszko said he was ready to go to court.

''The explanation they sent to us is not satisfactory ... We shall bring the case to the court and ask to suspend the work,'' EU Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas told reporters after meeting Szyszko.

Poland wants to build a section of an international highway linking Warsaw to Helsinki via the Baltic states through the northeastern Rospuda Valley, one of Europe's unique peat lands, home to rare plants and animals.

The area is recognised by Brussels and Warsaw as having special environmental interest and has protected status under the union's Natura 2000 network of conservation sites.

But Szyszko said Poland was not breaking any EU laws.

''I am convinced Poland is acting in accordance with the law.

An EU procedure has been launched and will be continued,'' he told a news briefing.

Last week, Prime Minister Jaroslaw Kaczynski said the northeastern province where the valley was located would hold a referendum about the planned road.

Many local residents back the route as it would ease heavy lorry traffic that cuts through towns such as Augustow.

Several dozen environment protection activists are camping in Rospuda to prevent construction work.

Dimas said the Commission was expected to send Poland a so-called reasoned opinion on Wednesday, the last step before starting formal court proceedings.

''It appears they will go ahead with the construction. Let's see what happens,'' Dimas said. ''We are not against the Via Baltica motorway, but it needs to be done in a way that respects EU environmental laws.'' If the European Court of Justice decides Poland broke EU law it may first order to the country to stop construction and, if it does not comply, fine it heavily. But proceedings may take many months if not years.

Reuters SAM RS2143