Derek Vaughan, rapporteur for the opinion of the Committee on Budgets. − Mr President, this new fund is one of the next MFF’s important new initiatives. Therefore, I was pleased to draft the opinion for the Committee on Budgets.

The Committee on Budgets fully supports the creation of this fund. Indeed, we believe that food banks are currently one of the few growth industries in many parts of Europe. We believe that this fund should be EUR 3.5 billion, not EUR 2.5 billion, if it is to have a big impact. We also believe that the fund should be made available to all Member States, although they should be given some flexibility as to how they use the new fund.

On co-financing, I support an 85% figure. However, I accept that in some cases 95% would be more acceptable, particularly in Member States which are facing severe financial difficulties at the moment.

Finally, as the fund is now an ESF programme, I believe that we need to make sure that the rules are as simple as possible for those organisations which want to deliver this aid.