§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how much food aid has been committed to Ethiopia by the European Union through ECHO in 2000; and when and where it will be delivered. [121095]
§ Clare ShortFood aid is the responsibility of the EC's DG-Development rather than ECHO. The EC has committed 432,526 metric tonnes (MT) of food aid this year. A further 110,000MT will be provided by July 2001. Britain contributes 17 per cent. of the cost. Two shipments carrying 46,500MT of cereals have arrived. We do not have details of where the food was distributed.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if ECHO is committed to finding the cheapest appropriate food aid on the open market in responding to humanitarian need in Ethiopia and other such crises. [121097]
§ Clare ShortFood aid is the responsibility of EC DG-Development. EC procurement rules for food aid include assurances on value for money and takes quality and quantity into account.