HC Deb 02 February 1994 vol 236 c746W
Mr. Tom Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to meet his counterparts in the European Union to discuss a joint response to forecast food deficits in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The food aid needs of countries in the Horn of Africa, including Ethiopia and Eritrea, were discussed by officials of the European Community and its member states on 13 January. The European Commission indicated that they expect to provide some 250,000 tonnes of food to Ethiopia and Eritrea through various channels during 1994. Member states are considering their individual responses. A further meeting on 3 March will review the position.

Mr. Tom Clarke

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the supply of emergency food aid following forecasts of crop deficits in Ethiopia and Eritrea.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

We have allocated 10,000 tonnes of relief food aid for Eritrea and 15,000 tonnes for Ethiopia since 1 November 1993 from our 1993–94 national food aid programme. This food is being channelled through various NGOs. We will shortly be considering the possibility of further allocations from our 1994–95 programme.

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