Scheme for food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Union

The European Parliament,

–   having regard to Article 27 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation)(1) and to Commission Regulation (EC) No 983/2008 of 3 October 2008 adopting the plan allocating to the Member States resources to be charged to the 2009 budget year for the supply of food from intervention stocks for the benefit of the most deprived persons in the Community(2),

–   having regard to the amended Commission proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Council Regulations (EC) No 1290/2005 and (EC) No 1234/2007, as regards distribution of food products to the most deprived persons in the Union (COM(2010)486),

–   having regard to the judgment of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) in Case T-576/08,

–   having regard to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 562/2011 of 10 June 2011 adopting the plan allocating to the Member States resources to be charged to the 2012 budget year for the supply of food from intervention stocks for the benefit of the most deprived persons in the European Union and derogating from certain provisions of Regulation (EU) No 807/2010(3),

–   having regard to its legislative resolution of 26 March 2009 on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy and Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation) as regards food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Community (COM(2008)0563<//a> – C6-0353/2008 – 2008/0183(CNS))(4),

–   having regard to Rule 110(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas the Commission estimates that 43 million people in the EU are at risk of food poverty,

B.  whereas the economic and financial crisis and soaring food prices are putting more people at risk of food poverty,

C. whereas the Scheme for food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Union, set up in 1987 under the common agricultural policy (CAP), currently provides food aid for 13 million people suffering from poverty in 19 Member States and has distribution chains involving some 240 food banks and charities,

D. whereas the scheme increasingly relied on market purchases as a consequence of the reframing of the CAP, which had led to reduced levels of intervention stocks, the traditional source of supplies for the scheme,

E.  whereas the CJEU has ruled that Article 2 of Regulation (EC) No 983/2008, dealing with additional purchases of food on the market, should be annulled,

F.  whereas following the CJEU ruling the Commission proposal for 2012 includes a sudden reduction in funding from EUR 500 million in 2011 to EUR 113 million in 2012,

G. whereas the CAP and its related schemes and the Structural Funds, including the European Social Fund (ESF), will enter a new funding period in 2014,

1.  Stresses that halting an existing and functioning aid scheme abruptly without prior notice or preparation will have a major impact on the most vulnerable persons in the EU and is not a reliable funding practice;

2.  Calls, therefore, on the Commission and Council to develop a transitional solution for the remaining years of the funding period (2012 and 2013) so as to avoid an immediate and sharp cutback in food aid as a result of the reduction in funding from EUR 500 million to EUR 113 million and ensure that people dependent on food aid do not suffer from food poverty;

3.  Calls in the long term on all stakeholders to assess carefully the appropriateness of the food aid scheme, in particular as an element of the CAP, in the context of the new funding period as from 2014;

4.  Welcomes the announcement by Commissioner Ciolos on 29 June 2011 of the proposal to transfer the food distribution scheme from the CAP to the ESF, provided that appropriate funding is ensured and the transfer does not result in less money being available for existing ESF programmes;

5.  Stresses that one side effect of poverty is often malnutrition and food poverty; emphasises that to combat poverty an integrated policy is needed linking decent incomes and working and living conditions; considers that food-aid measures could be one temporary element among others in an integrated policy to combat poverty;

6.  Stresses that farmers need to be guaranteed a decent and fair income and remuneration for their work; points out that farmers in many regions are struggling financially; urges the Commission to address the issue of rural poverty and collapse of rural communities;

7.  Believes that, in the context of enhancing food security and creating sustainable production and supply systems, minimising food waste remains crucial in the long term;

8.  Points out that the CJEU ruling clearly states that the current proposal for the revised food aid scheme is not consistent with the overall principles governing the CAP; calls on the Commission to replace the current proposal with an interim measure to remain in force until the end of the funding period;

9.  Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States.