Brussels, 20/07/2005 (Agence Europe) - The European Commission is seeking the views of citizens and organisations in Europe on forthcoming EU action to reduce the risk of floods to people, property and the environment. Starting on Wednesday, an internet consultation will run for eight weeks. The results will feed into a proposal for a Floods Directive, which is one of the components of an action programme on flood risk management that the Commission is preparing. It is foreseen that the action programme will also comprise actions to improve the exchange of information and knowledge, and targeted use of EU funding. Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said the recent floods in Romania, Bulgaria, Austria and the West Flanders region of Belgium had shown once again how catastrophic flooding can cause human tragedy, disrupt economic life and undermine Europe's progress towards sustainable development. He added: “Floods are a natural phenomenon but there are ways to prevent them or at least to limit their impacts and thereby protect ourselves more effectively. Concerted action can improve flood protection all over Europe. We need better coordination involving the participation of all Member States to achieve this goal.”
The internet consultation will run until 14 September 2005. The questionnaire is available from: http: //europa.eu.int/comm/environment/water/flood_risk/consult.htm