Activities of Edite ESTRELA related to 2008/2074(INI)
Plenary speeches (1)
Addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in the European Union (debate)
Amendments (13)
Amendment 23 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2
Paragraph 2
2. Regrets that the Communication limits itself to promoting general objectives, proposing only a limited number of precise measures and no concrete timetable for their implementation in regions threatened by water scarcity and droughts; regrets the absence of realistic goals and time constraints for reaching them, in close co- operation with regional and local authorities; calls on the Commission to present an ongoing programme, in particular a progress report in 2008 and the review and development of the European Union's strategy by 2012, including legislative action;
Amendment 30 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3
Paragraph 3
3. Recalls that demand-side approach should be preferred when managing water resources; notes that supply-side measures should be considered after the options of enhancement of water efficiency, improvement of demand management and educational measures have been exhausted; stresses, however, the importance that supply-side measures may have for the regions most affected by water scarcity and drought, which may take the form of traditional options, such as the construction of infrastructure to regulate watercourses, or alternative and innovative solutions such as the sustainable re-use of waste water or desalination;
Amendment 39 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4 a (new)
Paragraph 4 a (new)
4a. Believes that a link should be established between water scarcity and drought and climate changes and their specific strategies, bearing in mind that concerns as regards adapting to climate changes must be integrated as priorities in the implementation of the WFD;
Amendment 44 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)
Paragraph 6 a (new)
6a. Stresses the need to clarify the definition of 'prolonged drought' (in the context of the WFD) and its implications for achieving the environmental objectives of the WFD in periods of drought and after such periods; points out that water scarcity and drought are related but different, and differentiated strategies should be adopted for them;
Amendment 45 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 b (new)
Paragraph 6 b (new)
6b. Stresses that there is a close link between drought, soil erosion, desertification and forest fires;
Amendment 47 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7
Paragraph 7
7. Takes the view that river basin management plan required under the WFD should also integrate drought management and set up crisis management tailored to the concrete needs of river basins threatened by water scarcity and droughts, including cross-border coordination, public participation and early warning systems operating at different levels: European, national, regional and local;
Amendment 57 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)
Paragraph 7 a (new)
7a. Stresses the need for support mechanisms under the European Union Solidarity Fund to be made more flexible, since severe drought is an anomalous natural phenomenon, which develops slowly and is of variable duration, with serious lasting repercussions on living conditions and socio-economic stability in the regions affected; recommends that the Fund maintain the possibility of supporting localised crisis situations (regional character) and make public and private damage eligible;
Amendment 58 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 b (new)
Paragraph 7 b (new)
7b. Recommends that the Community civil protection mechanism make provision for intervention in crisis situations resulting from extreme drought;
Amendment 60 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8
Paragraph 8
8. Recalls that almost 20% of water in the EU is wasted and stresses the need for major investments in order to improve technical progress and the distribution network; notes that poor water management is a problem that influences water scarcity, and that may have more negative impacts in times of drought but that does not cause it, since drought is a natural phenomenon;
Amendment 72 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10
Paragraph 10
10. Stresses that 40% of the water used in the EU could be saved; calls for concrete measures and financial incentives to promote a more efficient and sustainable use of water; encourages the Member States most affected to use part of their structural funds for projects to improve water use and water saving;
Amendment 77 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10 a (new)
Paragraph 10 a (new)
10a. Stresses the need to combat waste and balance water uses, in particular through re-use, bearing in mind its manifold values: biological, social, environmental, symbolic, cultural and in terms of landscape and tourism;
Amendment 88 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13
Paragraph 13
13. Stresses that a lot of progress towards more efficient use of water can be achieved in the agricultural sector, hopes that the Common Agricultural Policy health check will take this problem into consideration and will propose concrete actions promoting a more sustainable use of water through incentives to mobilise the best available technologiespractices and technologies, in particular support for rural development;
Amendment 114 #
Motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17 a (new)
Paragraph 17 a (new)
17a. Welcomes the establishment of the European Drought Observatory and the early warning system, which are to come into operation by 2012; stresses the importance of an extended discussion on its basic objectives, budget and organisation.