WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1251/98 by Odile LEPERRE-VERRIER to the Commission. Food aid in the EU (SUPPLEMENTARY ANSWER)
5. 2. 1999 EN Official Journal of the European Communities C 31/27 Even so, the Commission shares the opinion of the Honourable Member. No-holds-barredí fighting is not part of Europeís cultural and sporting traditions. It is an outstanding example of the dangers which threaten sport and television when making a profit is the sole consideration. (1) OJ L 183, 29. 6. 1989. (2) OJ L 216, 20. 8. 1994. (1999/C 31/033) WRITTEN QUESTION E-1251/98 by Odile Leperre-Verrier (ARE) to the Commission (29 April 1998) Subject: Food aid in the EU Now that winter is coming to an end, can the Commission provide details of the food aid granted directly or indirectly to approved non-governmental organizations? What steps will it take to reduce poverty and malnutrition, which are on the increase in the Member States of the European Union? Supplementary answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (3 July 1998) The Commission confirms that, during last winter and in fact throughout the year, it continued to implement its programme of aid for deprived persons in the Community. This measure was decided on in 1987 during a particularly hard winter (1). On the basis of the experience gained and the reactions both of the Member States and of the humanitarian organisations, it was decided to make it a permanent programme as from the following year. It consists in placing foodstuffs from Community intervention stocks free of charge at the disposal of the organisations working with deprived persons, if necessary after processing or exchange within the same category of products. This measure is organised in the form of annual plans. It is coordinated by the Commission (2) and is implemented by the Member States which wish to take part in it. They also designate the beneficiary organisations. The annual plan applicable last winter was adopted by the Commission on 2 October 1997 and was adapted in the course of the year according to the state of stocks and the appropriations available (3). It applies until 30 September 1998 and receives funding of ECU 196 million. Moreover, in addition to this food measure by which the Commission uses European farmersí and growersí produce, and particularly their surpluses, for the benefit of deprived persons in the Community, the fight against social exclusion and poverty are taken into account in a number of European programmes or measures and more particularly under the European Social Fund (ESF) and the associated Community initiatives. In the reform of the ESF, the promotion of social integration and of equal opportunities for all in access to the labour market constitutes one of the defined priority fields of action. (1) Council Regulation (EEC) 3730/87 of 10 December 1987 laying down the general rules for the supply of food from intervention stocks to designated organisations for distribution to the most deprived persons in the Community, OJ L 352, 15. 12. 1987. (2) Commission Regulation (EEC) 3149/92 of 29 October 1992 laying down detailed rules for the supply of food from intervention stocks for the benefit of the most deprived persons in the Community, OJ L 313, 30. 10. 1992. (3) Commission Decision 98/203/EC of 3 March 1998 amending Decision 97/660/EC adopting the plan allocating to the Member States resources to be charged to the 1998 budget year for the supply of food from intervention stocks for the benefit of the most deprived persons in the Community, OJ L 77, 14. 3. 1998