What measures are envisaged to prevent speculation on water?

18.12.2020

Question for written answer  E-006971/2020
to the Commission
Rule 138
Mathilde Androuët (ID)

Since 7 December, investors on the Chicago Stock Exchange have been able to buy water on the financial markets. Far from protecting farmers against price fluctuations, these contracts will only serve to whet the appetite of speculators as witnessed in Australia. In 2012, the Commission launched its Blueprint to Safeguard Europe’s Water Resources, and in 2015 Parliament called on the Commission to put forward legislative proposals implementing universal access to water and the human right to water, recognised by the UN in 2010. In one third of the territory of Europe, water demand already exceeds supply during certain periods. Globally, according to the FAO, the freshwater resources available per person have decreased by more than 20% over the last twenty years and almost 80 countries do not have enough water. This water stress is an additional source of destabilisation and migration to the European Union. Does the Commission advocate strong measures to secure this rejection of speculation on the precious resource that is water, given that nothing has been done in this area in terms of EU law?