EC SURPLUS FOOD SCHEME (Hansard, 18 February 1991)

§ The Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Baroness Trumpington)

The European Commission has reviewed the operation of this scheme in 1988 and 1989, and its report is awaited. In the meantime the Commission has decided to continue with the distribution of surplus food from intervention stocks to the most deprived citizens of the Community. I have to say that the Government's view remains that the scheme is an inefficient method of dealing with surpluses and of assisting those whom it should help. Nevertheless, as in the past, the Government do not wish to deprive eligible UK citizens of an opportunity available to their counterparts elsewhere in the Community.

The Commission has allocated some 150 mecu to the European Community for this purpose, the same as in 1990. The UK has maintained its share of the budget in obtaining some 24.95 mecu, which 20WA represents about £17.62 millions worth of butter and beef. This produce will continue to be distributed in the UK by those charitable and other non-profit making organisations wishing to do so and meeting the prescribed conditions. To improve the cost-effectiveness of the scheme, preference may be given to organisations capable of distributing produce widely throughout their local community and to groups of smaller organisations co-operating in the same locality. 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 suitable organisations volunteer to participate.

I am arranging for further details to be published widely and to be sent to the appropriate bodies, and I will place a copy of this information in the Library.