asked the Minister for Agriculture and Food the arrangements, if any, which have been made for distribution of stocks of surplus EC meat and butter; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Surplus EC Food.
27.
The scheme for the supply of food from intervention stocks to the most deprived persons in the Community was approved by the Agriculture Council on Thursday last. The scheme is optional but it is expected that almost all member states will implement it. The global allocation for the scheme in 1988 is about IR£84 million. I would have preferred a higher allocation but, unfortunately, this could not be agreed because of the current budget difficulties. Some member states pressed for a distribution of the allocation based on population but I insisted on a distribution which took account of the relative position of member states. I am pleased that the Commission took the latter approach and with only about 1 per cent of the Community's population Ireland will receive IR£2 million which represents 2.5 per cent of the allocation. If some member states decide not to operate the scheme their allocation will be redistributed.
Consultations are now taking place between my Department and a number of official and voluntary organisations with a view to implementing the scheme and I am hopeful that the scheme will be in operation early in the new year.