European Union – Environment. The Court of Justice of the European Union gave a preliminary ruling concerning the interpretation of art 4(1)(a)(i) to (iii) of Directive (EC) 2000/60 (establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy). The request had been made in proceedings between the German federation for the environment and the conservation of nature and Germany, concerning a scheme to deepen various parts of the river Weser in the north of Germany, intended to enable larger container vessels to call at certain German ports.