Groundwater protection and management: Community action programme

The opinion makes a number of general comments on: - the importance of uniform monitoring by the Commission to ensure the correct application of Community policy; - the need for Community reference framework for responsibility for environmental damage; - binding limits for dangerous substances to which priority is attached under the current legislation; - funding for the proposed measures. In conclusion, the Committee recommends that: - the action plan be incorporated into the framework directive on water resources and that respective levels of responsibility be clearly defined, bearing in mind the recommendations made in the ESC Opinion on the Communication on European Community water policy; - information and data compilation systems be developed under the guidance of the European Agency; - back-up measures, specially geared to informing and educating the public and training administrative officers and economic operators (particularly farmers and consumers), be provided for. �