EUWMA welcomes the communication of the EC on water scarcity and droughts. EUWMA values the distinction that has been made between water scarcity, a long term stress on water use related to water availability, and drought, a more short term event mainly due to particular weather conditions.

Vewin and UvW advocate a high level of environmental protection, and of water in particular, with regard to the use of plant protection products. Water framework objectives should never be compromised, and the "polluter pays" principle should always be respected.

Soils are a key part of the water cycle and may influence drinking water resources; a soil policy will have consequences for the safe and sustainable use of treated sewage sludges. Eureau welcomes the proposed strategy, aimed at protecting European soils, and its requirement for integration with policies in other areas such as water, climate change and waste.

The European Commission proposed on 21st December 2005 a new strategy on the prevention and recycling of waste. This long-term strategy aims to help Europe become a recycling society that seeks to avoid waste and uses waste as a resource.

“Addressing the challenges of water scarcity and drought in the European Union” (2008/2074(INI))

EUREAU reflect the full diversity of the European water services sector and represent both public and private operators. As the focus point of a European water network, EUREAU represents a unique concentration of technical, scientific and managerial knowledge and practical experience in water services.

Unie van Waterschappen and Vewin welcome the Commission’s initiative to review the Regulations on direct support schemes and rural development funds as well as the Strategic Guidelines. This is an opportunity for water sector to highlight the importance of water management as a key component to be taken into account in the future developments of the European Common Agricultural Policy.

Eureau Task Force Draft response for consideration by EXCOM.

Prioritary substances: second reading in European Parliament.

This Regulation will have to ensure that it complements and assists in achieving the Water Framework Directive’s objectives, and in particular “good ecological status” by 2015. Therefore the provisions entailed in this proposal should also serve as a building block for devising the measures as requested under Article 11 of the WFD.