PAN questions European Commission on Directive regulating river basin management

Brussels, December 10, 2020- MEP Francisco Guerreiro (PAN) questioned the European Commission (EC) on compliance with Directive 2000/60/EC, which establishes a framework for community action in the field of water policy, by Portugal and Spain. In question, the severe drought affecting Portuguese territory and the lack of daily flows in international rivers, namely in the Tagus.

The inefficient management of these common water resources by both countries undermines the preservation of regional biodiversity, but also the quality and quantity of water accessible to populations, as well as to local productive sectors.

One of the causes for this scenario is Spain's water resources management policies, which, among other actions, excessively retain (or transfer) water from the Tagus to super intensive productive sectors (Transvase Tejo-Segura).

Recently, doubts have arisen that Spain has complied with the Albufeira Convention, namely the maintenance of minimum daily flows, which aggravated the scarcity of water in Portuguese rivers.

In parallel, and according to data from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere, Portugal is currently facing a severe drought in about 1/3 of the territory. The water levels of the Tagus river basin are the lowest of the last 40 years, with its tributaries Pônsul, in Beira Baixa, and Sever, in Alto Alentejo, almost dry.

Portugal is and will be one of the countries most exposed to the increase in average temperature resulting from the growing emissions of Greenhouse Gases, and desertification scenarios, such as soil erosion, are alarming, as can be seen in the latest special report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for the Oceans and the Cryosphere.

Compliance with Directive 2000/60/EC, reinforced by Resolution (2008/2074(INI)), aims to ensure all Member States the efficient and rational use of water, which subdivides and specifies the use of this resource for the Iberian-Macaronesian eco-region.

In view of this, the MEP asked the European Commission:

-Are Portugal and Spain complying with the Directive 2000/60/EC [establishing a community action framework on water policy], regarding the management of the Tagus river basin?

-Does it intend to table amendments to Directive 2000/60/EC and/or a proposal for a specific directive on the problem of water shortages and droughts, taking into account the resolution tabled by the European Parliament on this subject in 2008?

The Commission has six week to answer after receiving the question in its services.

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