Nora Owen
Question:58 Mrs. Owen asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the quantities of EC food surplus which have been distributed in 1993 to those in need in the developing world; and the amount pledged but not yet distributed.
Written Answers. - EU Food Distribution.
The European Union's budget for food aid to the developing world amounted to 579 million ECU in 1993. In addition, there were further emergency food aid operations for Africa bringing the total spent on EU food aid deliveries to more than 600 million ECU (around IR£480 million).
In volume, this represents some 1.7 million tonnes of food products, shipped mainly from Europe. In deciding which products to donate to recipient countries, the Commission, as implementing agent, places particular emphasis on nutritional requirements and local dietary practices. Around 15 per cent of the food aid is purchased locally or in other developing countries.