B4-0183/95

Resolution on the effects on agriculture of the severe flooding in Northern Europe

The European Parliament,

-having regard to the recent severe flooding in Belgium, Germany, France, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands and the United Kingdom,

A.whereas considerable damage has been done to agricultural holdings, livestock and other property,

B.whereas farmers have not only incurred considerable extra costs but have also seen their income affected by the impossibility of planting crops and by the need to slaughter livestock which has provoked an over-supply and thus a sharp fall in the price of animals,

C.whereas the interinstitutional agreement sets strict budgetary limits, both overall and in each financial category, and as a consequence no provision exists to deal with a natural disaster of this scale,

D.whereas it is important to demonstrate flexibility and creativity in the face of this exceptional situation,

E.whereas the primary responsibility for helping victims of natural disasters rests with the Member States,

1.Believes that the severity of the floods warrants the use of exceptional measures;

2.Points out that as a result of the floods a number of aid payments (premiums and arable aids) will not be made and that this money should be made available;

3.Believes that money for set-aside payments should be made available as compensation for flooded land;

4.Calls for investment aids to be made available from the Structural Funds for the cleaning and repair of land and buildings;

5.Urges the Commission to set up an emergency coordination unit to speed up bureaucratic procedures while maintaining appropriate financial controls;

6.Believes that a reserve should be built into the budget in future years to enable aid to be paid in the case of natural disasters;

7.Believes that long-term work on flood prevention should be increased with the object of developing a flood-prevention strategy at European level; points out that flood damage has regional, social and environmental implications and that financing for this work should be charged to the relevant budgets;

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