A3-0055/94

Resolution on the establishment of a European research area and regional planning measures for protection against earthquakes

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the motions for resolutions by:

-Mr Bettini, Mrs Cramon Daiber and Mr Bandrés Molet on the establishment of a European research area and regional planning measures for protection against earthquakes (B3-0172/91),

-Mrs Llorca Vilaplana on earthquakes (B3-0436/92),

-Mr Ferri on the establishment of Experimental Observatories in areas where the risk of earthquakes is high and the setting up of a European Earthquake Observatory (B3-1634/92),

-having regard to Rule 45 of its Rules of Procedure,

-having delegated power of decision, pursuant to Rule 52 of its Rules of Procedure, to the Committee on Energy, Research and Technology,

-having regard to the report of the Committee on Energy, Research and Technology (A3-0055/94),

A.whereas earthquakes are often the most catastrophic natural disasters for mankind; whereas on average more than 20 000 people have been killed by earthquakes every year this century,

B.whereas large areas of the European Community, especially in the south, are in earthquake zones,

C.whereas the risks associated with earthquakes are enormously increased when plants and installations are sited in earthquake zones, and whereas damage to nuclear installations, chemical plants or pipelines may lead to additional damage or injury,

D.having regard to the consequences thereof for the economic and ecological status of the regions concerned, such as temporary or permanent loss of production, job losses, environmental pollution and extra expenditure on health care, which are intensified by constantly rising population densities,

E.whereas, if construction methods are used which are designed to enable structures to withstand earthquakes, experience shows that the number of casualties and the seriousness of the injury or damage sustained are considerably reduced; whereas harmonized building standards dealing with this aspect should in any case be drafted and improved at European level in the interests of the internal market,

F.having regard to the Community's earthquake research projects within the framework programmes for research and technological development and the excellent infrastructure for research into the effects of earthquakes on structures possessed by the Joint Research Centre in Ispra in the form of a reaction wall,

G.whereas the resources so far made available for earthquake research within the Community's specific research and development programmes have enabled only an inadequate number of projects to be carried out,

H.having regard to the special significance of civilian rescue services in coping with natural disasters and of the role of the Community in their coordination and in promoting training and further training in fields not covered by national measures,

I.whereas in December 1989 the United Nations General Assembly decided unanimously to declare the 1990s the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction,

1.Takes the view that the problems caused by natural disasters, especially earthquakes, require coordination and cooperation in research and research policy and between civilian rescue services at European level;

2.Advocates therefore greater support for research into natural disasters, especially earthquakes, within the European Community's Fourth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development and greater support for civilian rescue services;

3.Considers it essential that in research, while network development and monitoring based on forecasts should not be neglected, priority should be assigned to earthquake disaster prevention in seismic risk areas;

4.Calls on the Commission to concentrate support for earthquake research projects within the next framework programme in such a way as to ensure an appropriate relationship between the number of applications and the number of projects approved;

5.Calls on the Commission to coordinate internally its measures to deal with earthquakes and to improve mutual information in the field of research and hence improve coordination as well;

6.Calls on the Commission, in the field of international cooperation, to consider the possibility of setting up a special task force to coordinate investigations into and evaluation of earthquake disasters on an interdisciplinary basis and to make available the organizational and, possibly, financial resources for this;

7.Rejects the idea of setting up a European Earthquake Observatory, as there are already enough observatories, responsibilities might possibly be withdrawn from the local establishments which currently have them and there might be confusion about powers and responsibilities;

8.Proposes the setting up of a European Earthquake Centre, to be based on the numerous existing national and regional monitoring units in the Community and located at Ispra or another JRC site, to coordinate regional and local actions with a view to further coordination with other national monitoring units operating in sensitive areas;

9.Considers that future Community activity in the field of earthquake research should also be focused on the further development of standardized earthquake catalogues;

10.Calls on the Commission, in the context of the completion of the internal market, to pursue vigorously the drafting of European building and planning standards with a view to instituting guidelines, restrictions and improved safety for human settlement in seismic areas and volcanic risk areas;

11.Regards the further promotion of civilian rescue services at European level, with particular regard to coordination of training and further training, as an essential means of preventing the consequences of earthquakes;

12.Calls therefore, in this connection, for a formal Council meeting to be convened which should be attended by the Member States' ministers responsible for civilian rescue services;

13.Calls on the Commission to develop further its contacts with the United States and Japan at operational level, in the fields both of research and of civilian rescue services;

14.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and Council.