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Parliamentary question - E-004843/2017Parliamentary question
E-004843/2017

Review of the EU Solidarity Fund

Question for written answer E-004843-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Soledad Cabezón Ruiz (S&D)

The EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) was set up in 2002 to respond to major natural disasters and to express European solidarity with disaster-stricken regions within Europe. The EUSF implementing regulation was revised in 2012.

The increase in natural disasters since the beginning of the 21st century is undoubtedly due to the effect climate change is having on our environment. More than 38 000 hectares of land have been burned in almost 3 000 forest fires across the Iberian Peninsula in 2017, owing to the heat and lack of rain.

Will the Commission consider implementing a targeted plan with specific criteria and additional EARDF funds to restore areas affected by climate change, particularly protected areas? So far in 2017, more than 8 000 hectares of land have been burned in the Doñana area, which is within the Natura 2000 network.

How does the EU Solidarity Fund provide for special protection environmental areas? Will the Commission consider changing the eligibility criteria for funding requests based on total GDP and GDP per capita?

Large, populated regions can be discriminated against if too little account is taken of their real wealth, as seen with Andalusia, where Doñana is located.