Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel has welcomed the Decision of the European Parliament for a harmonised European procedure in precautionary flood control and flood risk management. In the second reading, the MEPs confirmed with a large majority a compromise directive between the Council and the Parliament, negotiated under the German EU Presidency: "This Decision avoids a conciliation procedure and establishes the conditions needed for the EU regulations to enter into force before the end of this year. Flood control is a joint and urgent problem for all the Member States and close cooperation is vital, especially on account of the many transboundary rivers," said Gabriel, who also holds the Chair of the EU Environment Council.
The directive adopted by the EU Parliament on flood risk management prescribes three essential steps: a preliminary evaluation of flood risks and the identification of risk areas (by the end of 2011), the subsequent mapping of hazards and risks in these areas (by the end of 2013) and, based on this, the elaboration of plans of measures for reducing flood risks (by the end of 2015). For all three stages, the directive provides for intensive transboundary consultation and coordination, and the involvement and informing of the public.
In specifying targets and measures, the Directive allows Member States considerable scope, in order to take into account the different conditions and local needs in the respective river basins.
The directive will not jeopardise programmes of action developed in Germany in recent years following the disastrous flooding along the Rhine, Oder, Elbe and Danube rivers. Maps and management plans already in existence will be recognised if they comply with the provisions of the directive.
Further information:
- Press release of the European Commission: European Parliament and Council reach agreement on the new Floods Directive
- Topic side of the European Commission: A European Floods Policy