Text tabled : RC-B7-0397/2011

  Michèle Striffler (PPE), in writing. – (FR) I voted in favour of the joint resolution on the scheme for food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Union in order to ensure the continuation of this programme, which is of particular value to French charitable associations and which is under threat due to legal uncertainties. With this vote, I call on the European Commission and the Council to maintain this distribution scheme for the final two years of the current funding period (2012 and 2013) and for the forthcoming funding period (2014-2020). This scheme must also be placed on a legal footing that cannot be challenged by the European Court of Justice and it must retain its annual ceiling of EUR 500 million, so as to ensure that people dependent on food aid will not suffer from food poverty in Europe.