§ Mr. GillTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what arrangements he has made for implementing the EC surplus food scheme in the United Kingdom in 1990; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. CurryPending its detailed review of this scheme in 1990, the European Commission has 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 United Kingdom citizens of an opportunity available to their counterparts elsewhere in the Community.
The Commission has allocated 150 mecu to the European Community for this purpose, the same as was allocated in 1989. The United Kingdom 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 United Kingdom 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 eligible only 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.
I am arranging for further details to be sent to the appropriate bodies, and I will place a copy of this information in the Library.