Tuesday 11 September 2007

Mr Russell endorsed four of the principles for dealing with flooding put forward by WWF Scotland freshwater policy officer Mike Donaghy at the summit earlier in the day. He told delegates that to successfully combat flooding in future, there must be co-operation on flood management planning; it is essential to use natural flood management techniques; there should be demonstration sites and that an integrated approach to flood management was essential to avoid it in future.

Mike Donaghy, WWF Scotland freshwater policy officer said:

"I am delighted by the response from the minister and will work constructively with the Scottish Government to achieve its aims on flood management.

"By taking a joined-up, river-wide, source-to-sea approach, we can minimise the risks to people and property and tackle the causes and effects of flooding in a long-term way."

Delegates at the summit included Minster for Environment Michael Russell and Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Stewart Stevenson as well as industry experts, academics and representatives from Scotland's local authorities, National Flood Forum, Scottish Water and the Association of British Insurers.