Mr President, Commissioner, quite a few European countries have indeed suffered throughout this summer from exceptional temperatures. That is the subject of this evening’s debate and, indeed, time is now of the essence. The consequences of this heatwave for our countries and their populations have been appalling. In Portugal, as our fellow MEPs have pointed out, fires have destroyed 5% of the country. It is a national disaster. Regarding France, I wish first of all to express my feelings, including my indignation, at the extent of the human drama we have experienced. The French Government announced on Friday that more than 11 000 additional deaths in connection with the heatwave were recorded between 1 August and 15 August. These figures are terrifying. Certainly, they must encourage us to ask ourselves questions about each person’s duty of solidarity towards those who are most vulnerable. National governments, and particularly the French Government, ought however, just like the European Union, also to ask themselves questions about the importance of public health policies, the requirement for high-quality emergency hospital services, accessible to everyone and in sufficient numbers, as well as about the requirement for retirement homes staffed by trained personnel and with the resources to ensure high-quality services. In short, they must consider adopting an ambitious policy regarding the elderly and those who are most vulnerable. All this requires budgets and, therefore, political choices that direct public expenditure towards the satisfaction of everyone’s needs. Regarding the fires, which have particularly affected the Var region of France and, even more so, other European countries, we are faced with a certain number of questions. What aid should there now be for these affected regions? How should such crises be dealt with more effectively in the future? Above all, how might they be avoided and through what policy of prevention? These questions also apply to the terrible consequences of the drought for agriculture. Commissioner, you propose a certain number of answers to these questions, as well as guidelines for reflection, but, in both cases – those of fires and drought – emergency aid does indeed need to be organised – in the forms both of the European Solidarity Fund and of national aid – in support of the regions damaged by the fires. For farmers, many of whom are faced by drastic situations, the European Union ought, as a minimum, to authorise the national governments to accord them exceptional short- and medium-term aid. In France, the consequences for the affected areas are overwhelming: a loss of 50% to 100% of production is anticipated for non-irrigated cereals in the department of Lot-et-Garonne. There is a lack of fodder, directly threatening livestock. Everywhere, farmers are faced with a very large decline in revenue. Alongside this aid, thought must be given to the mechanisms to be put in place, as well as to the efficient management of the crises linked to exceptional natural events. This also requires public funds, which have no place in a competitive rationale. Finally, I would turn to prevention and causes. In line with other fellow MEPs, I really wish to emphasise the need to re-think current models of rural planning and of agricultural and also transport development. Clearly, the tendency to make more and more profit out of available land, not to invest in fire prevention on the pretext of making savings, to accord priority to large farms and yield and to favour road transport, always to the detriment of rail – I could go on – is full of dangers. Another model is in actual fact to be devised, based on genuinely taking account of the environment, of the public interest and of solidarity. Indeed, we must show very much greater determination to apply the Kyoto Protocol. In conclusion, however, I want all these dramas experienced by our fellow citizens over the last few weeks to enable us at least to become more aware. ... (The President cut off the speaker)

Political group: GUE-NGL