91999E0400

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0400/99

by Robin Teverson (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 March 1999)

Subject: EU food aid

Would the Commission please list the total value of EU food aid to non-EU countries as it has evolved over the last five years? In addition, would it provide a list of the value of this food aid by recipient country and, if possible, by the donor EU Member State over the same period?

Is it also possible to have a list of the nature of EU food aid (i.e. grain, milk, processed goods) and an explanation of how this aid system works (i.e. eligibility, decision process)?

Answer given by Mr Pinheiro on behalf of the Commission

(20 April 1999)

The total value of EU food aid over the last five years, broken down according to the nature of the aid, is shown in tables which have been sent directly to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat of Parliament.

Decisions on food aid and food security are currently adopted on the basis of Council Regulation (EC) 1292/96 of 27 June 1996 on food aid policy and food aid management and special operations in support of food security(1).

The countries eligible for operations of this type are listed in the Annex to the Regulation. Allocations worth more than EUR 2 million must first be approved by a management committee (composed of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the Commission's representative) before any decision is taken by the Commission.

(1) OJ L 166, 5.7.1996.