Text adopted on 9.4.92

The European Parliament,

A. concerned at the drastic situation of prolonged drought in Portugal and in Spain, (with rainfall in various areas the lowest this century) which, in conjunction with abnormally high temperatures, has directly affected farming,

B. whereas, in addition to the alarming repercussions on the country's energy sector and water supplies, the brunt of the disaster is being borne by agriculture which, as a result, is faced with one of its worst crises ever,

C. having regard to the water shortage, particularly in the Alentejo area, which has obliged a number of local authorities to limit domestic water supplies, although summer is still a long way ahead, clearly underlining the urgent need for a national water supply programme in Portugal, particularly in connection with the Alqueva project,

D. whereas autumn and winter crops have been lost, over 500 000 hectares of pasture have dried up, cattle are dying through lack of feedstuffs and spring and summer irrigation crops are seriously jeopardized,

E. whereas this shortage of water in the soil and the prolonged dry summer season will further heighten the risk of forest fires,

F. whereas, besides problems relating to water supplies, this situation is increasing river pollution, thereby depleting fish stocks and contaminating groundwater,

G. concerned at the social problems arising from unemployment among wage- earners, seasonal workers and pieceworkers and the impact on the agri-foodstuffs sector and trade in agricultural inputs and products,

H. whereas Spain has also been hit by the drought,

1. Expresses its solidarity with the populations of those areas,

2. Considers that adequate Community aid should be granted as a matter of urgency to Portugal in order to lessen the impact of this disaster, and that this aid be larger than the amounts budgeted and commensurate with the damages recorded;

3. Welcomes the latest decisions taken by the Council of Agriculture Ministers providing for the sale of cereals from Community stocks to assist farmers affected by the drought and the Commission's proposal to examine the extent of the damage on the spot;

4. Calls on the Commission to approve without delay the emergency operational programme submitted by the Portuguese Government under the Community Support Framework and reallocate resources entered in this Framework as interest rate subsidies for farmers experiencing difficulties in meeting investment commitments;

5. Calls for special aid to be granted to local authorities and fire services wherever the situation requires emergency action, in particular with regard to the channelling and distribution of water resources;

6. Requests the Commission to prepare the ground for the negotiation of Community funding for the Alqueva multiple application system, bringing forward the deadline for the evaluation of the operation currently under way;

7. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the Member States.