§ Mr. EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much customs levy the Government paid on food aid given to developing countries in 2003–04. [162189]
§ Hilary BennAs import or customs duties represent an additional cost that would reduce the overall amount of development assistance provided, all UK884W development assistance is conditional on being free of all import or customs duties. Food aid provided by the Department for International Development is given as cash only in response to specific appeals so would not attract customs duties.
In 2002–03 DFID provided food aid to the value of £65 million.
In 2004 the EC provision for food aid is 419 million euro of which the UK share is 19 per cent. EC regulations stipulate this is also free of import or customs duties.