EU food aid scheme hangs in the balance

The EU’s Food Aid Programme, which provides essential items such as flour, milk, rice and cereals, to an estimated 18 million poor people, is under threat because member states failed to agree on the way forward.

If we can show solidarity with banks we have to show solidarity with the needy

At the latest meeting of agriculture ministers in Luxembourg, Malta was among the majority of member states that pleaded to keep the programme, which is considered to be essential for those in need.

However, six member states – Germany, the UK, Sweden, Denmark, the Netherlands and the Czech Republic – opposed, forming a minority that blocked the proposal.

A government spokesman said Malta had benefitted from the programme since 2005 and wanted to continue to help the needy in society. “Once again, the government took the opportunity to emphasise the importance of continuing this programme,” the spokesman said.

However, despite mounting pressure from many sides, including the European Parliament, the European Commission and the majority of member states to retain the programme, resistance continued and it is possible the programme will be stopped from 2013.

What had started as distribution of surplus stocks produced by EU farmers among those in need, developed over the years into a €500 million annual budget through which member states were allowed to buy food products to distribute.

The European Court of Justice ruled last year that only surplus stocks were to be distributed. As a result, no more purchases could be made and the Commission was forced to cut its programme to €113 million for 2012.

A proposal was made to change the rules again to allow to a maximum €500 million capping for the programme as of 2013 but this is now being blocked by the six member states.

During the Luxembourg meeting, Agriculture Commissioner Dancian Ciolos continued to pile pressure saying that the 20 member states (Malta included) that benefitted from the programme had the right to plan for the medium term and not have the programme slashed overnight.

“All the political, social, moral and administrative arguments plead for maintaining the programme,” he said. “If we can show solidarity with banks we have to show solidarity with the needy,” Polish Agriculture Minister Marek Sawicki, whose country holds the EU presidency, said.

Despite the pressure, the six opposing states did not budge, arguing that members should use their national funds if they wanted to help their poor.

For 2012, Malta was allocated a budget of €131,000, making it eligible to distribute about 1,230 tonnes of cereals. This figure contrasts sharply with the budgets in previous years amounting to about €640,000.

Although the EU has, on average, among the highest living standards in the world, some people are unable to feed themselves adequately. Malta also has its fair share of poor people although at a lower level than the EU average. According to the most recent data, in 2009, 15 per cent of Malta’s population were considered to be living below the poverty line, meaning their household earns less than €7,800 a year.