Venezuelans reduced to eating animal feed

31.1.2018

Question for written answer E-000565-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Nuno Melo (PPE)

The Venezuelan Programme of Education and Action on Human Rights (Provea), a prominent NGO, has revealed that many Venezuelans have been routinely eating food intended for animals as that intended for human consumption has become an increasingly scarce and expensive commodity in that country.

According to its findings, sausages intended for dogs and rice intended as chickenfeed are among the foodstuffs most widely consumed, the problem being that they may contain ingredients harmful to human health, the requisite standards not having been met in their preparation.

In view of this:

Is the Commission aware of this situation? What is its own position on the matter?

What steps it has taken or will it take in cooperation with the Venezuelan Government to help guarantee the basic rights of citizens and ensure that the population has access to food staples in sufficient quantity and at affordable prices?