§ Lord Gainfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
What arrangements they have made for implementing the EC surplus food scheme in the UK in 1990
§ Baroness TrumpingtonPending their detailed review of this scheme in 1990, the European Commission have decided to authorise the distribution of surplus food from intervention stocks to the most needy for one further year. The Government continue to believe that such a scheme is an inefficient method both of dealing with surpluses, which are now substantially lower than at the outset of the scheme in 1988, and of assisting those whom it should help. Nevertheless the Government do not wish to deprive eligible UK citizens of an opportunity available to their counterparts elsewhere in the Community.
The Commission have allocated 150 mecu to the European Community for this purpose, the same as was allocated in 1989. The UK has obtained some 22–9 mecu, the same proportion as last year, which represents about £ 17 million-worth of butter and beef. This produce will be distributed in the UK by charitable and other non-profit-making organisations which meet the prescribed conditions and wish to apply. The scheme applies to certain clearly defined categories of people. Pensioners or the unemployed are only eligible if they fall into one or other of these categories. The coverage of those who are eligible will depend on the extent to which the organisations participate.
We are arranging for further details to be sent to the appropriate bodies, and we will place a copy of this information in the Library.