Strasbourg, 12/03/2009 (Agence Europe) - Under pressure, especially from German MEPs in the EPP-ED Group, the European Parliament, in Strasbourg on Thursday 12 March, amended the initial report by Vincenzo Aita (GUE/NGL, Italy) on measures to prevent the degradation of agricultural land (see EUROPE 9842). The alternative resolution, adopted by 327 votes to 268, with 11 abstentions, no longer presses member states to adopt a common position on the draft framework directive on soil protection (the issue has been deadlocked in Council for several months). The new resolution removes all reference to the creation of new financial funds.
Some of the measures of the initial report have been retained: - setting up a Community drought monitoring centre; - improving the EU's coordinated response capability in the event of fires; - awarding “green certificates” and premia to encourage farmers to become more involved in maintaining pasture land and wooded areas. MEPs also propose various practical measures to be put in place at local level with the aim of improving irrigation systems and combating fires, encouraging re-foresting and promoting crops better adapted to the local environment. (L.C./transl.rt)