B3-0056, 0072, 0073, 0079, 0099 and 0129/94

Resolution on flooding in Europe

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its resolution of 16 September 1992 on a Community policy for regional planning,

A.having regard to the persistent rainfall and flooding of rivers which have been afflicting Europe since October 1993, particularly in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Italy, Spain, France, Greece and the United Kingdom,

B.whereas, as a result, agricultural and horticultural, and small- and medium-sized undertakings have suffered major losses, with a large number of them faced with closure, resulting in unemployment,

C.noting that, in December 1993 and January 1994, the Commission gave a total amount of ECU 500 000 in emergency aid for flood victims in France, Germany, Belgium, Luxembourg and The Netherlands, and acknowledging the granting of emergency aid by the Commission in its own words as 'a symbolic humanitarian gesture',

D.noting that the flooding in these countries is a clear indication that the hydro-geological balance is severely disturbed and stressing the need for a coordinated joint European policy for the relief of the consequences of such disasters and for a regional planning policy which may contribute to preventing the recurrence of such disasters,

E.whereas land reparcelling, straightening the course of rivers and canalization have increased the risks of flooding, and whereas the damage has often been exacerbated by the inadequacy and insufficient maintenance of structures and means of protection,

F.whereas the floods have made clear that hydraulic engineering works are necessary,

1.Expresses its sympathy for the families of those who have died and for those who have suffered losses as a result of the floods;

2.Pays tribute to the devotion to duty displayed by firefighters, members of the armed forces and public servants, assisted by volunteers who unfailingly responded to all the appeals for help from those in distress;

3.Welcomes the granting of emergency aid, but stresses that this should be greatly increased as the consequences of the flooding have been of such a magnitude;

4.Stresses that remedial measures should not be based solely on an ad hoc approach, but that structural measures should be taken for those regions most affected, and calls on the Commission to put forward measures to strengthen means of flood prevention and protection;

5.Calls on the Commission to come forward with proposals to examine the way in which existing instruments of structural policy can be utilized for the reconstruction of these regions; furthermore calls on the Commission to propose urgently a harmonization of insurance policy to the effect that such damage will be covered under private insurance, as is already the case in France;

6.Stresses that these disasters have demonstrated once again the need for a joint European policy on regional planning with the aim of harmonious development, while protecting the environment; calls for a legal basis to be created enabling the Union to coordinate a pan-European approach to regional planning;

7.Calls on the Commission to release additional funds from the ERDF as part of the measures for Objective 5b areas, in order to provide financial aid for work to make good the damage, and to grant aid to the homeless and to farmers whose land has been devastated;

8.Calls on the Commission to make available further substantial aid from Chapter B4-33 (Civil protection) and Chapter B4-34 (Aid to disaster victims) and provide further possibilities for assistance from the Community budget for the areas and individuals affected;

9.Calls on the Commission to examine agreements of insurance companies which systematically exclude the risk of natural disasters in the light of European legislation in this area and the Treaty on European Union and requests appropriate proposals for workable solutions in the case of natural disasters, since in some of the Member States, insurance against natural disasters such as floods and earthquakes is impossible; whereas insurance companies have even agreed collectively to exclude such risks systematically; and whereas, consequently, persons affected by natural disasters are doubly penalized;

10.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission, the Council and the governments, regional and local authorities of the regions affected.