§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the charging basis for the use of EC food surpluses for famine relief purposes.
§ Mr. CurryCommunity food aid for famine relief purposes is normally supplied free of charge. Member states are reimbursed the full value from the Community budget.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what effect the use of EC food surpluses for famine relief purposes has on the accounting cost of the common agricultural policy.
§ Mr. CurryNormally, none, because the cost reflecting world market prices is charged to the Community food aid budget, with the difference between the world prices and the EC price—the EC support cost—being charged as CAP expenditure. Exceptionally, however, the full cost of some emergency food aid measures to eastern European countries has been charged to the CAP budget. The 1992 budget contains provisions for 385 mecu—£279 million —for such exceptional measures.