MEP Urges use of EU Solidarity Fund to Help Flood Victims
19 August 2008
Traditional Unionist MEP Jim Allister has called on the Executive to lobby the Treasury to make application to Brussels for aid for flood victims from the EU Solidarity Fund. This fund came into existence to deal with dire emergencies such as created by the devastating flooding of last weekend. Indeed last year the UK got an award of £110 M to help cope with the summer floods in England.
Mr Allister said, “In addition to the Executive addressing the opportunities which exist under the EUSF, they need to take urgent steps to deal specifically with losses in the agricultural sector. Private householders can qualify for an emergency payment but there are many farmers who have seen stock and crops destroyed and who stand in urgent need of assistance. What is the Executive going to do for them? The responsibility is on DARD to champion their cause and join in ensuring the opportunities under the EUSF are fully exploited.”
