Brussels, 19/01/2012 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 19 January in Strasbourg, the European Parliament adopted by a majority of the House a written declaration inviting the European Commission to develop a European action plan against the proliferation of algae, under the framework directive on water (2000/60/EC), based on the exchange of best practices and cooperation of players concerned by algae proliferation. Alain Cadec (EPP, France), who drafted the declaration, welcomed adoption of the text saying it was a powerful signal sent to the European Commission which is now seeking solutions to this serious cross-border environmental problem.
All European coastlines (English Channel, the Atlantic coast, North Sea, Baltic Sea, Mediterranean) are suffering from the proliferation of algae due to the eutrophisation of coastal and estuary waters. The algae are highly detrimental to the good ecological state of the water, and are harmful to public health, and to the economic vitality of the territories concerned. (OL/transl.jl)