B3-1053/93

Resolution on the serious incidents which have occurred in the south of France

The European Parliament,

A.whereas, as happens increasingly often at this time of the year, French farmers in the south of France have attacked Spanish lorries carrying fruit and vegetable products,

B.whereas an even more serious incident occurred at the beginning of July when a warehouse for Spanish fruit in Nîmes was set on fire,

C.whereas these acts of vandalism on socio-political grounds constitute a direct attack on freedom of movement, which is a basic principle of Community integration,

D.whereas there are now calls in Spain for a boycott of French products and some farmers and lorry drivers angered by such incidents are beginning to organize 'acts of retaliation' against French-owned commercial establishments,

E.whereas, in view of the turn events have taken, this matter has major repercussions at Community level,

1.Calls on the governments of the Member States involved to guarantee freedom of movement within their respective territories;

2.Calls on the governments in question to dispel the impression that such acts are going unpunished;

3.Urges the Community institutions and the Member States to adopt preventive measures to guarantee freedom of transit within the Community area;

4.Stresses that adequate compensation should be provided as a matter of urgency to offset the economic losses caused by acts of this kind;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments of France and Spain.