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Parliamentary question - E-008223/2014Parliamentary question
E-008223/2014

Hydrogeological risk prevention

Question for written answer E-008223-14
to the Commission
Rule 130
Aldo Patriciello (PPE)

The Liguria region has recently been hit by a flood, the severity of which, according to estimates by Confesercenti (Italian confederation representing SMEs in the retail and tourism sectors), has damaged around 2400 businesses, twice as many as those affected on 4 November 2011.

Growing vulnerability to natural disasters, mainly due to the effects of climate change, is likely to have wide-ranging impacts on society and to seriously undermine the economic development of the local area.

Local authorities, on which Directive 2007/60/EC confers powers relating to the assessment and management of flood risks, are not always able to respond to hydrogeological emergencies, partly because of the financial constraints imposed on them by the Stability Pact, which has significantly reduced their resources.

Given the significant cross-border dimension of these events, concerted and coordinated action at EU level would add considerable value to risk management and would improve the overall level of flood protection.

Can the Commission say whether, in keeping with its communication ‘A Community approach on the prevention of natural and man-made disasters’, it intends to provide the legislative and financial instruments to stem this hydrogeological disaster and make the land safe?