MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION on the Scheme for food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Union
4.7.2011
pursuant to Rule 110(2) of the Rules of Procedure
Patrick Le Hyaric, Ilda Figueiredo, Gabriele Zimmer, Elie Hoarau, Kyriacos Triantaphyllides, Alfreds Rubiks, Nikolaos Chountis on behalf of the GUE/NGL Group
See also joint motion for a resolution RC-B7-0397/2011
B7‑0455/2011
European Parliament resolution on the Scheme for food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Union
The European Parliament,
– having regard to Article 27 of Regulation 1234/2007 and Regulation 983/2008,
– having regard to Parliament’s declaration of 4 April 2006 on this scheme, to its resolution of 22 May 2008, to its legislative resolution of 26 March 2009 and to the Commission proposal COM(2010) 486,
– having regard to the judgment of the European Court of Justice of 15 April 2011 on Germany vs. the Commission in Case T-576/08,
– having regard to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) No 562/2011,
– having regard to Council Recommendation 92/441/EEC on common criteria concerning sufficient resources and social assistance in social protection systems,
– 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, soaring food prices, and in particular the EU’s recommendations on economic governance and Member States’ austerity policies reducing social benefits and dismantling the welfare state put more people at risk of poverty and social exclusion, including food poverty,
C. whereas the Scheme for food distribution to the most deprived persons in the Union (MDP), set up in 1987 under the CAP, provides currently food-aid for 13 million people suffering from poverty in 19 Member States and involves some 240 food banks and charities in the distribution chains,
D. whereas the scheme increasingly relied on market purchases as a consequence of the reframed Common Agricultural Policy and, thus, reduced levels of intervention stocks, which traditionally provided food for the Scheme,
E. whereas the ECJ ruled that Article 2 of Regulation 983/2008 on additional market purchase of food is annulled,
F. whereas following the ECJ ruling the COM proposal for 2012 indicates a sudden reduction from 500 million EUR in 2011 to only 113 million EUR in 2012,
G. whereas the Common Agricultural policy and its related schemes, as well as the Structural Funds including the European Social Fund will start the new funding period in 2013,
1. Strongly criticises that stopping an existing and functioning food aid scheme (MDP) abruptly without prior notice or preparation has a disastrous impact on the most vulnerable parts of the population within the EU; points out that the Commission’s proposal to reduce funding from 500 million EUR in 2011 to 113 million EUR in 2012 strongly contradicts the official EU statements and targets on combating poverty and social exclusion;
2. Points out that Parliament in its resolution of 22 May 2008 underlined the fundamental nature of the right to food and the need to improve access for all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life;
3. Underlines that Parliament in its resolution of 26 March 2009 demanded to maintain the scheme entirely financed by the Union budget, without co-financing obligations by Member States; strongly criticises those Member States that are blocking an agreement on the continuation of the MDP scheme in the Council;
4. Calls therefore on the Commission and the Council to develop a solution for continuing the MDP scheme for the remaining years of the funding period (2012 and 2013) and the new funding period 2014 - 2020 on a legal base that can not be contested by the ECJ, moving the MDP scheme from the Common Agricultural Policy to the European Social Fund and at least maintaining the 500 million EUR annual financial ceiling so as to ensure that people dependent on food aid will not suffer from food poverty;
5. Underlines that high quality and healthy nutrition is especially important for children and contributes towards their developmental and educational needs; urges the Commission to continue to promote programmes such as the EU School Fruit Scheme;
6. Believes that in the context of increasing food security and creating environmentally and socially sustainable production and supply systems, minimisation of food waste remains crucial;
7. Stresses that the side effect of poverty is often malnutrition and food poverty; stresses that to combat poverty and social exclusion, an integrated policy is needed linking jobs with rights and fair income, working and living conditions; indicates that food aid measures could only be one temporary element among others if there is a sound integrated policy to combat poverty;
8. Considers that the MDP scheme could only become unnecessary if Member States step up genuine efforts to combat poverty and social exclusion by ensuring that minimum income schemes and contributory income replacement schemes provide for sufficient resources to live a life in human dignity, including that people then are able to buy high quality and healthy nutrition on the market; calls on the Member States to end their austerity policies and to reform their social protection schemes so that they provide an income that lifts people out of poverty and social exclusion;
9. Reminds the Commission and the Council of Parliament’s resolutions of 9 October 2008 and 6 May 2009, which demanded in that respect that the Council agree an EU target for minimum income schemes and contributory replacement schemes of providing income support of at least 60% of national median equalised income and, further, to agree a timetable for achieving this target in all Member States; calls on the Commission to propose a legislative proposal on adequate minimum income schemes;
10. Considers that also a rising number of ‘working poor’ are receiving food aid; reminds the Commission and the Council of Parliament’s resolution of 9 October 2008, which demanded that the Council agree an EU target for minimum wages (statutory, collective agreements at national, regional or sectoral level) to provide for remuneration of at least 60% of the relevant (national, sectoral, etc.) average wage and, further, to agree a timetable for achieving that target in all Member States;
11. Stresses that farmers need to be assured a decent and fair income and remuneration of their services; points out that farmers in many regions struggle financially; urges the Commission to address the issue of rural poverty and collapse of rural communities;
12. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the governments of the Member States.