Brussels, 22/09/2010 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament has called for a global approach to disaster prevention in order to remedy a lack of resources so far implemented, but also to take account of the serious nature of these incidents for human life and the economic and social development of regions and countries, and of the crucial role played by forests in the conservation of the environment.
Its demands are listed in a resolution adopted on Tuesday 21 September in Strasbourg on the communication of the Commission defining a “Community approach to the prevention of natural disasters or those caused by humans” (EUROPE 9846). Going along with their rapporteur, João Ferreira (GUE/NGL, Portugal), the MEPs are calling on the Commission to encourage an exchange of best practices between the 27 and on the Member States to ensure that the regional authorities receive the training they need on disaster management. The neighbour countries of the EU and the developing countries should also take part in this sharing process; particular attention should be paid to the isolated, remote, mountainous or sparsely-populated regions, for which the conditions for the mobilisation of the Solidarity Fund should be made more flexible, the EP says. The MEPs call for legislative measures on the protection of forests and the prevention of fires, the adoption of a Community policy on water shortages, drought and adapting to climate change, and sanctions to discourage acts of negligence and criminal acts which may cause fires. The Parliament stresses the need to have in hand sufficient financial resources and calls for disaster prevention to be included in the financial perspectives 2014-2020. It would also like to see the creation of a public agricultural insurance system at European level to limit losses suffered by farmers, and a minimum compensation system for the farmers of Member States which fall victim to a disaster. The MEPs would like the premiums paid out by the farmers to cover the additional costs for setting in place the fire prevention measures and water disposal systems. (A.N./trans.fl)