§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish a breakdown by type of foodstuff of the volumes and tonnage of surplus foodstuffs made available for(a) free distribution within member countries of the European Union and (b) overseas aid purposes in the most recent year for which figures are available and in each of the previous three years. [242298]
§ Mr. JackDetails of the quantities of surplus food made available under Council regulation (EEC) 1035/72, on the common organisation of the market in fruit and vegetables, and Council regulation (EEC) 3730/87, on the supply of food from intervention stocks for distribution to the needy, for the most recent four years for which figures are available are given in the table.
There is also provision under Commission regulation (EEC) 1501/83 for the disposal of fishery products which have been withdrawn from the market, including by distribution to the public. This option has not been used in the UK, where the usual method of disposal is for use as animal feed. Information is not available on methods of disposal in other member states.
Produce made available under Council Regulation (EEC) 1035/72. (tonnes) 1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 Cauliflowers (1 May-30 April) 1,095 368 852 1,799 Apricots (1 June-31 May) 88 8 5 24 Nectarines (1 June-31 May) 716 298 124 364 Peaches (1 June-31 May) 4,438 822 438 1,155 Lemons (1 June-31 May) 4,716 285 291 618 Tomatoes (11 June-10 June) 50 217 205 382 Pears (1 July-30 June) 51 319 66 768 Apples (1 August-31 July) 6,090 3,656 293 4,486 Clementines/Mandarins (16 November-15 November) 105 384 59 274 Oranges (1 December-30 November) 9,766 2,605 7,467 31,248
201W
Produce made available under Council Regulation (EEC) No3730/87 (tonnes) 11991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 Common Wheat 12,330 11,530 14,970 14,950 Durum Wheat 42,200 42,300 49,850 55,350 Rice 9,500 10,500 4,700 4,700 Olive Oil 2,700 4,700 7,000 9,000 Milk Powder 4,525 4,425 7,325 8.800
Produce made available under Council Regulation (EEC) No 3730/87 (tonnes) 11991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 Butter 15,125 13,140 9,455 10,520 Beef/Veal 30,318 34,915 33,415 34,950 Cheese 0 500 2,000 2,300 1 1 October to 30 September. In most cases, surplus foodstuffs are not suitable for use as food aid. Nevertheless, in 1992, 62,000 tonnes of wheat was released from intervention for famine relief in Somalia.
In addition, since 1992 the EU food aid programme has provided 2.4 million tonnes of food for Africa, while the total value of humanitarian aid from the EU to Rwanda and the former Yugoslavia has now reached £251 million and £524 million respectively. In addition to contributing to these food aid packages, Britain has provided direct bilateral aid, including 450,000 tonnes of food to Africa since 1992 and £88 million worth of aid to the former Yugoslavia.