The European Parliament,

A. having regard to the appalling forest fire which in four days destroyed over 4 000 hectares of the Serra de Monchique (Algarve), the major forested area of southern Portugal, which constituted the green heart of this tourist region,

B. whereas many hundreds of families now find themselves reduced to utter penury because of the destruction of their forestry, horticulture or livestock-based smallholdings in the area, the preliminary estimates of the total losses being in excess of 2 billion escudos,

C. concerned at the disaster's environmental implications, for the countryside, its ability to retain water, and for the survival of the area's native flora and fauna,

D. welcoming the spirit of solidarity displayed in the way fire-fighting operations were carried out both by Portugal and Spain, and welcoming the latter's immediate response to requests for help,

1. Expresses its solidarity with all the victims of the disaster and urges the Portuguese Government to make good the material damages suffered by those affected as thoroughly as possible;

2. Asks the Commission to make available non-refundable financial aid to be distributed amongst the victims of the disaster with a view to encouraging the recovery of production in the area;

3. Calls on the Commission to increase funding for the Forestry Support Programme (which has been suspended due to lack of available budgetary resources) for the Serra de Monchique area;

4. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Government of Portugal.