Strasbourg 25/02/2014

Following today's vote by MEPs to set up a new EU fund to support the most deprived, French GUE/NGL MEP Patrick Le Hyaric applauded the definitive wind-up of moves to abolish the previous food aid system and said the GUE/NGL has been at the forefront of efforts during this legislature to save and improve the scheme.

"This €3.5 billion fund is intended to replace the current EU food aid programme, which has been running since 1987. While this is not enough and we had sought further financing, this money will still contribute to helping the most at risk and easing the worst forms of poverty," he said.

Under the programme, member states can also choose whether to distribute food and/or other material assistance, or help the most deprived by other means such as social inclusion activities.

"Today's vote is a positive outcome but the campaign must continue to ensure that Europe doesn't neglect its duties to combat poverty. EU leaders' response to the crisis has hit the most vulnerable hardest in recent years so we must remain focused on opposing the politics of austerity which have been a social and economic disaster."

GUE/NGL Press:

David Lundy +32 470 85 05 09
Emily Macintosh +32 470 85 05 08
Gay Kavanagh +32 473 84 23 20
www.guengl.eu
European United Left/Nordic Green Left

European Parliamentary Group