Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002395/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
André Rougé (PfE), Marie-Luce Brasier-Clain (PfE)
Last May, a new irrigation network was opened in Saint-Louis, in La Réunion. This EUR 8 million project, co-financed by the European Union and the Department of La Réunion, includes a reservoir of 1 000 cubic metres and 20 kilometres of pipelines, serving 130 farmers across almost 170 hectares. It is part of a large programme of agricultural water schemes aimed at securing access to water for farmers, against a backdrop of increasingly scarce water resources.
The continuation of this programme brought about at the initiative of the Department of La Réunion remains conditional on the mobilisation of EU funding. In an overseas territory increasingly exposed to climate change and with an economy largely based on growing food crops and agricultural produce for export, this infrastructure is vital. It is also helping the jobs market and contributing to food security in this outermost region.
Therefore, besides the project currently under way in Saint-Louis, can the Commission state whether it intends to increase funding under the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development or other specific financial instruments in order to support the creation of new irrigation networks in La Réunion?
Submitted: 13.6.2025