91997E2695

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2695/97 by Cristiana Muscardini (NI) to the Commission (1 September 1997)

Subject: Floods and environmental protection

As well as being caused by meteorological factors in the narrow sense, the latest floods in various parts of Europe and those which have occurred over the last few years in Italy and elsewhere have in many cases resulted from disturbances brought about by criminal policies that ruin the environment. According to a recent survey of the banks of the river Adda in Valtellina conducted by the Lombardy branch of the WWF, 690 buildings and smaller works, including 376 homes and 91 factories, are exposed to the risk of flooding. These findings patently demonstrate that there is no policy of prevention on the ground, thus offering an inducement to build on the banks in areas bordering the river.

In view of the grave dangers posed by this situation, will the Commission:

1. monitor hydrogeological risks, having regard to the conditions required for a safe environment?

2. propose that prior checks be carried out to ensure that forward urban development planning is compatible with the geological state of the terrain, especially in regions most at risk when rivers burst their banks?

Answer given by Mrs Bjerregaard on behalf of the Commission (23 September 1997)

The Commission is extremely aware of the problem of flooding which too frequently takes place throughout Europe. A great deal of thinking and action has taken place over the last few years in order to give the Member States support in seeking ways to limit the risks and consequences of this type of event.

It will not fail to encourage and support the Member States in devising preventive measures and making up for the shortcomings is the action taken in the past in order to improve river basins. This applies to the recent action begun under Community initiative Interreg II.

In addition several research programmes have been devoted to the problem of flooding. These are aimed at developing techniques to ensure that a higher level of safety is achieved.

However, it does not fall within the Commission's competence to identify and monitor risk situations in the Member States, since this falls within the powers of the national, regional and local authorities within those Member States.