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Food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Community

2008/0183(COD)

The European Parliament adopted by 425 votes to 71, with 62 abstentions, a legislative resolution amending, under the consultation procedure, the proposal for a 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.

The main amendments were as follows:

Product of Community origin only: Parliament wants the scheme to apply to food of Community origin. The text states that products in intervention stocks shall be made available or food products of Community origin shall be purchased on the market, with preference given to locally-produced fresh food products.

Cofinancing: Members deleted the provisions regarding co-financing by Member States of the food distribution programme. They propose that full EU financing be maintained.

Review plan: in exceptional circumstances and where the numbers of those in need have increased beyond what was forecast, Member States may ask the Commission to revise the plans.

Marking products: it is proposed that designated organisations shall display an information panel at distribution points, or attach a sticker to mobile distribution units, indicating that they are recipients of the Community food aid programme. This shall be the means of informing beneficiaries that they are receiving Community support.

Costs: a new clause states that Member States shall set a ceiling, corresponding to the percentage of products purchased or bartered, for all transport, storage and administrative costs (including communication costs), taking account of local conditions where necessary. The financial provision shall be divided by the Member States between these three items of expenditure. All appropriations not used under this provision may be reallocated to the purchase of food.

Report: the Commission must report by 31 December 2011 (rather than 2012), at the latest, on the application of the scheme for food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Community, together with a proposal for a decision on continuation of the scheme after the current financing period and any other appropriate proposals necessary.