§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has made to the European Union Agriculture Ministers about the rule prohibiting the distribution of surplus beef to pensioners who are not on income support; what steps he is taking to change the law to allow such distribution; and if he will make a statement. [48957]
§ Mr. RookerThe EU legislation governing this Scheme requires Member States to ensure that the produce is distributed only to the most deprived citizens in the community. To comply with this requirement in the UK, the criteria for eligibility were set in consultation 499W with the Department of Social Security. Persons on Income Support, Family Credit, Disability Working Allowance and Jobseeker's Allowance (income-based only) are all eligible to receive produce, as are the homeless and destitute and those living in welfare hostels. Pensioners as a group are not included since receipt of a State pension is not considered to be a sufficient indicator of need in itself, although those pensioners who meet one or other of the criteria are eligible. The Government have no plans to seek a change in EU law which would materially alter this position.