B4-0751 and 0764/95

Resolution on the disastrous situation and frost damage in certain areas of Portugal

The European Parliament,

A.having regard to the unusual weather conditions in Portugal during the last four months, since some regions have been totally without normal rainfall for the time of year and others have been affected by frost,

B.whereas the damage caused has happened during a period of general crisis in agriculture, aggravated by the drought and the forest fires which have hit southern Europe in the last few years,

C.whereas this situation, especially in the Alentejo, where there is a water shortage and vines have been destroyed by frost, Beira Interior and the upper Douro (more specifically in Castelo Branco and Moimenta da Beira), where frost has destroyed apple trees and vines, is a major disaster,

D.whereas the damage amounts to thousands of millions of escudos and, in most cases, there are no preventive measures in Portugal for the benefit of farmers, and in particular no proper agricultural insurance,

E.having regard to the various Community measures already adopted and the European Parliament's resolutions on the subject, in particular its resolution of 16 March 1995 on the drought in southern Europe,

1.Expresses its sympathy for the populations affected;

2.Considers that the scale of the damage already caused and expected to occur makes it necessary to provide, as a matter of urgency, at least Esc 30 000 million;

3.Calls on the Commission and the Council, in view of the extreme seriousness of the situation, to make available resources for emergency aid to be provided immediately, in cooperation with the national and local authorities, simplifying the bureaucratic procedures as far as possible;

4.Proposes that the European Union should take into account the various disasters, such as the drought and the frost, which have been affecting agriculture and are becoming structural problems, especially in southern European countries, that the European Union should adopt measures to support a proper system of insurance for crops and insists on the need to create a specific item in the Community budget for emergency situations;

5.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the Committee of the Regions, the Portuguese Government, the Portuguese Parliament and the local authorities in the areas affected.