HC Deb 26 January 1987 vol 109 c18W
Mr. Dykes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on measures to reform the European Community food aid programme agreed in Brussels in December.

Mr. Chris Patten

The new regulation governing the policy and management of European Community food aid was adopted by the Council on 22 December after agreement was reached with the European Parliament. I expect it to have the following main effects:

  1. (a) The legal basis for food aid will cease to be article 43 of the Treaty of Rome (which established the common agricultural policy).
  2. (b) Food aid now will need to be justified on the grounds that it meets the needs of recipient countries rather than as a means of surplus disposal.
  3. (c) It is to be better integrated with other forms of Community development assistance.
  4. (d) Procedures will be streamlined, particularly for emergencies.
  5. (e) There will be new arrangements for purchasing food aid from other developing countries.

This is fully in line with the motion agreed by the House on 9 December, column 294.

The new regulation will apply for one year ony in the first instance.

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