A4-0285/95

Proposal for a Council Regulation on food aid policy and food aid management and special operations in support of food security (COM(95)0283 - C4- 0392/95 -95/0160(SYN))

The proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital 1

>Original text>

Whereas food aid is an essential aspect of the Community's policy of cooperation with the developing countries;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas food aid remains as of now an important aspect of the Community's policy of cooperation with the developing countries;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 2

>Original text>

Whereas food aid must be integrated into the developing countries' policies for the improvement of their food security, in particular by the establishment of food strategies;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas food aid must be integrated into the developing countries' policies for the improvement of their food security, in particular by the establishment of food strategies geared towards alleviating poverty with the ultimate aim of rendering food aid superfluous;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 3

>Original text>

Whereas the Community and its Member States closely coordinate their development cooperation policies and consult one another on their food aid programmes; whereas the Community, with its Member States, is a party to certain international agreements in this domain, and in particular the Food Aid Convention;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Community and its Member States closely coordinate their development cooperation policies with regard to food aid programmes and special operations in support of food security; whereas the Community, with its Member States, is a party to certain international agreements in this domain, and in particular the Food Aid Convention;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 4

>Original text>

Whereas the food aid and operations in support of food security are key features of Community development policy and must be taken into account in all Community policies likely to affect the developing countries;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the food aid and operations in support of food security are key features of Community development policy and must be taken into account in all Community policies likely to affect the developing countries, in particular with respect to economic reform and structural adjustment;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 4a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas national, regional and household food security on a long term basis which ensures all people access at all times to food for an active and healthy life, is an important element in the fight against poverty and should be emphasized in all relevant programmes with developing countries;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 4b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, given the different responsibilities of men and women in relation to household food security, the different roles played by women and men should be considered systematically when programmes aimed at ensuring food security are prepared;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 4c (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas it is important to raise the level of participation of women and communities in the drive to ensure food security at national, regional, local and household level;

(Amendment 8)

Recital 6

>Original text>

Whereas the food aid instrument is a key component of the Community's policy on preventing or helping in crises in the developing countries; whereas account should be taken in its implementation of this fundamental role as a factor for social and political stabilization;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the food aid instrument is a key component of the Community's policy on preventing or helping in crises in the developing countries; whereas account should be taken in its implementation of the social and political implications it might have;

(Amendment 9)

Recital 9

>Original text>

Whereas food aid should be made a real instrument of the Community's policy of cooperation with the developing countries, thereby enabling the Community to participate fully in multiannual developing projects;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas food aid should be made a more efficient instrument of the Community's policy of cooperation with the developing countries, thereby enabling the Community to participate fully in multiannual developing projects;

(Amendment 10)

Recital 11

>Original text>

Whereas the Community's support for the developing countries' efforts to achieve food security could be enhanced by greater flexibility in food aid, granting financial support for operations concerning food security, and in particular the development of farming and food crops, as an alternative to food aid in certain circumstances;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Community's support for the developing countries' efforts to achieve food security could be enhanced by greater flexibility in food aid, granting financial support for operations concerning food security, and in particular the development of farming and food crops, in accordance with ecological necessities and the interests of small-scale farmers and fishermen, as an alternative to food aid;

(Amendment 11)

Recital 12

>Original text>

Whereas the Community can assist those in need in the developing countries by helping finance operations in support of food security through the purchase of food products, seed, agricultural implements and inputs, and through storage programmes, early-warning systems, mobilization, training and technical assistance;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas the Community can assist those in need in the developing countries by helping finance operations in support of food security through the purchase of food products, seed, agricultural implements and inputs and other means of production, as well as through storage programmes, early-warning systems, mobilization, training and technical assistance;

(Amendment 12)

Recital 12a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas regional approaches to food security, including food aid triangular and local purchasing operations, should be further reinforced and supported so as to take advantage of natural complementarity between countries that belong to the same region; whereas food security policies should have a regional dimension to promote regional food trade and integration;

(Amendment 13)

Recital 12b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas in view of the inefficiency, costs and environmental damage involved in hauling substantial volumes of food across the globe, preference should be given to local purchases where this is possible;

(Amendment 14)

Recital 13

>Original text>

Whereas Community food aid policy must adjust to geopolitical change and the economic reforms under way in many recipient countries;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas measures to reduce poverty, and sectoral policies regarding, inter alia, agriculture, environment, health, family planning and education as well as macro-economic policy, such as structural adjustment programmes, should be made consistent with the objectives of ensuring food security for all;

(Amendment 15)

Recital 16

>Original text>

Whereas, in order to facilitate the application of certain of the measures envisaged, provision should be made for close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission within a Food Aid Committee;

>Text following EP vote>

Whereas, in order to facilitate the application of certain of the measures envisaged and in order to attune to the food security policy of the recipient country, provision should be made for close cooperation between the Member States and the Commission within a Food Security Committee;

(Amendment 16)

Article 1

>Original text>

Under its policy of cooperation with developing countries and in order to respond appropriately to food crises, the Community shall carry out food aid operations and operations in support of food security in the developing countries.

>Text following EP vote>

Under its policy of cooperation with developing countries and in order to respond appropriately to food crises and substantial food shortfalls, the Community shall carry out food aid operations and operations in support of food security in the developing countries.

(Amendment 17)

Article 1, 2nd paragraph (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Food aid interventions of a short-term nature in disaster areas shall be dealt with under the humanitarian aid Regulation and shall not fall within the scope of this Regulation. In the case of major crises, all the instruments of the Community aid policy shall intervene, acting in close cooperation, in favour of the suffering populations.

(Amendment 18)

Article 2(1), 1st and 2nd indents

>Original text>

- to promote food security in the recipient countries and regions,

>Text following EP vote>

- to promote poverty-focused food security of the population in developing countries and regions,

>Original text>

- to raise the standard of nutrition of the recipient population,

>Text following EP vote>

- to raise the standard of nutrition of the recipient population and to promote their access to a balanced diet,

>Text following EP vote>

- to improve the supply of drinking water to the population,

(Amendment 19)

Article 2(2)

>Original text>

2. The Community's food aid shall be integrated as thoroughly as possible into the development policies, particularly those on agriculture and agri-foodstuffs, and the food strategies of the countries concerned. Food aid and operations in support of food security shall back up the recipient country's policies on poverty, nutrition, family planning, environmental protection and rehabilitation, with special attention to the continuity of programmes, particularly in a post-emergency situation. Whether sold or distributed freed of charge, aid must not be liable to disrupt the local market.

>Text following EP vote>

2. The Community's food aid and operations in support of food security shall be integrated as thoroughly as possible into the development policies, particularly those on agriculture and agri-foodstuffs, and the food strategies of the countries. Food aid and operations in support of food security shall back up the recipient country's policies on poverty, nutrition, family planning, environmental protection and rehabilitation, with special attention to the continuity of programmes, particularly in a post-emergency situation. Whether sold or distributed freed of charge, aid must not be liable to disrupt the local market.

(Amendment 20)

Article 2(4), introduction and 1st and 2nd indents

>Original text>

4. Food aid shall primarily be allocated on the basis of an objective evaluation of the real needs justifying such aid, with economic considerations also being taken into account. To that end, particular consideration shall be given to the following criteria, without excluding other relevant considerations:

>Text following EP vote>

4. Food aid shall only be allocated on the basis of an objective evaluation of the real needs justifying such aid, where such operations seem the only appropriate way of enhancing the food security of groups without the ways and means to cope with a food shortfall themselves. To that end, particular consideration shall be given to the following criteria, without excluding other relevant considerations:

>Original text>

- food shortfalls,

>Text following EP vote>

- food shortfalls,

>Original text>

- per capita income and the existence of particularly poor population groups;

>Text following EP vote>

- nutritional status measured by indicators of human and nutritional development such as infant mortality rate, average weight at birth, anaemia rate among women, life expectancy, population with access to safe water, and other nutritional data and the existence of particularly poor population groups;

(Amendment 21)

Article 2(5)

>Original text>

5. The granting of food aid shall, where necessary, be conditional on the implementation of annual or multiannual development projects, sectoral operations or development programmes, and in particular those which promote sustainable long-term food production in the recipient countries within the framework of a food policy and strategy. Where appropriate, this aid may take the form of a direct contribution to the implementation of such projects, operations or programmes. Where Community aid is intended for sale, such complementarity must be ensured by the use of counterpart funds for purposes agreed by the Community and the recipient country. Where aid is provided as backing for a development programme spread over a number of years, it may be supplied on a multiannual basis linked to the programme in question. Besides the allocation of basic foodsuffs, aid may be used for the supply of seed, fertilizer, tools, other inputs and commodities, the creation of reserves and awareness and training schemes.

>Text following EP vote>

5. The granting of food aid shall, where necessary, be conditional on the implementation of annual or multiannual development projects, sectoral operations or development programmes, and in particular those which promote sustainable long-term food production and food security in the recipient countries within the framework of a food policy and strategy. Where appropriate, this aid may take the form of a direct contribution to the implementation of such projects, operations or programmes. Where Community aid is intended for sale, such complementarity must be ensured by the use of counterpart funds for purposes agreed by the Community and the recipient country or, where applicable, the body or non-governmental organization in receipt of the aid. Where aid is provided as backing for a development programme spread over a number of years, it may be supplied on a multiannual basis linked to the programme in question. Besides the allocation of basic foodsuffs, aid may be used for the supply of seed, fertilizer, tools, other inputs and commodities, the creation of reserves and awareness and training schemes.

(Amendment 22)

Article 2(6)

>Original text>

6. As a key component of food-security programmes consideration should be given to the creation by the recipient countries of buffer stocks, in tandem with the setting-up of regional reserves administered by regional or international organizations.

>Text following EP vote>

6. As an important component of food-security programmes consideration should be given to the creation by the recipient countries of buffer stocks, in tandem with the setting-up of regional reserves administered by regional or international organizations.

(Amendment 23)

Article 3, 3rd paragraph

>Original text>

The purpose of these operations shall be to support, using the resources available, the drafting and execution of a food strategy or other measures fostering the food security of the countries concerned and to encourage them to increase their degree of self-sufficiency in food. The said operations must help to improve the living standards of the poorest people in the countries concerned.

>Text following EP vote>

The purpose of these operations shall be to support, using the resources available, the drafting and execution of a food strategy or other measures fostering the food security of the population concerned and to encourage them to increase their degree of self-sufficiency in food. The said operations must help to improve the living standards of the poorest people in the countries concerned.

(Amendment 24)

Article 4

>Original text>

A developing country eligible for food aid under this Regulation may receive part or all of the food aid that has been - or may be - allocated to it in the form of alternative operations, with particular account being taken of trends in production, consumption and reserves in that country, the food situation of its inhabitants and the food aid granted by other donors.

>Text following EP vote>

Developing countries and international or non-governmental organizations eligible for food aid under this Regulation may receive part or all of the food aid that has been - or may be - allocated to them in the form of alternative operations, with particular account being taken of trends in production, consumption and reserves in that country, the food situation of its inhabitants and the food aid granted by other donors.

(Amendments 25 and 26)

Article 5

>Original text>

Operations in support of food security shall take the form of technical and financial assistance aimed, in accordance with the objectives laid down in Article 1, at improving food security by helping finance, for example:

>Text following EP vote>

Operations in support of food security shall take the form of technical and financial assistance aimed, in accordance with the objectives laid down in Article 1, at improving long term sustainable food security by helping finance, for example:

>Original text>

- the supply of seed and inputs crucial to the production of food crops,

>Text following EP vote>

- the supply of seed, tools and other inputs crucial to the production of food crops,

>Original text>

- rural credit schemes,

>Text following EP vote>

- rural credit schemes, with particular focus on women,

>Original text>

- storage schemes at the level of individual farmers or at village, local, regional or national level,

>Text following EP vote>

- storage schemes at the level of individual farmers or at village, local, regional or national level,

>Text following EP vote>

- measures to supply drinking water to the population,

>Original text>

- operations concerning the marketing, transport, distribution or processing of agricultural and food products,

>Text following EP vote>

- operations to strengthen those active in the marketing, transport, distribution or processing of agricultural and food products,

>Original text>

- measures to foster commercial food imports;

>Original text>

- applied research and field training,

>Text following EP vote>

- applied research and field training,

>Original text>

- projects to develop the production of food crops,

>Text following EP vote>

- projects to develop the environmentally sustainable production of food crops,

>Original text>

- flanking and awareness operations, in particular field training.

>Text following EP vote>

- flanking and awareness operations among the general public in the European Union and in non-member countries, as well as measures to make the Community's role in this area more visible, and field training operations, in particular for women and producer's organisations,

- projects to produce fertilizers from raw materials available in the recipient countries,

>Text following EP vote>

- support for local food aid structures, including field training.

(Amendment 27)

Article 6, 2nd paragraph

>Original text>

Such operations should take account of other Community aid instruments, including the use of counterpart funds generated by the sale of food aid, and be compatible with Community development policy.

>Text following EP vote>

Such operations should be consistent with other Community development aid instruments, including the use of counterpart funds generated by the sale of food aid, and be compatible with Community development policy.

(Amendment 28)

Article 8, 1st indent

>Original text>

- early-warning systems and systems for gathering data on trends in harvests, stocks and markets, with a view to improving understanding of the food situation in the countries concerned;

>Text following EP vote>

- early-warning systems and systems for gathering data on trends in harvests, stocks and markets, household nutrition and the vulnerability of the population, with a view to improving understanding of the food situation in the countries concerned;

(Amendment 29)

Article 8, 3rd indent

>Original text>

- preparatory studies and training schemes in connection with the above activities.

>Text following EP vote>

Deleted

(Amendment 30)

Article 9(2), introduction

>Original text>

2. Aid may also be made available to non-governmental organiza-tions that meet the following criteria:

>Text following EP vote>

2. Aid may be made available to non-governmental organizations that meet the following criteria:

>Text following EP vote>

(-a) guarantee the successful conduct of operations on the basis of their presence in the recipient country and familiarity with conditions there;

(Amendment 31)

Article 11(1)

>Original text>

1. Products shall be mobilized on the Community market, in the recipient country or in one of the developing countries (listed in the Annex to this Regulation) if possible one belonging to the same geographical region as the recipient country.

>Text following EP vote>

1. Products shall be mobilised in the first instance in the recipient country or in a developing country belonging to the same geographical region. If this is impossible, aid shall be mobilised in another developing country listed in the Annex to this Regulation or, failing that, on the Community market.

(Amendment 32)

Article 11(3)

>Original text>

3. Food aid products available on the Community market may be mobilized on the market of a developing country, if the economic efficiency of doing so compares favourably with that of mobilizing products on the Community market and such purchases remain within limits which do not undermine the principle of mobilising products on the Community market.

>Text following EP vote>

3. Food aid products available on the Community market shall be mobilized on the market of a developing country, if the economic efficiency of so doing compares favourably with that of mobilizing products on the Community market or if such mobilization ensures greater effectiveness of the food aid operation or greater effectiveness in promoting food security in the country of purchase.

(Amendment 33)

Article 11(4)

>Original text>

4. Where food is purchased in a developing country, steps must be taken to ensure that such purchases threaten neither to disrupt the market of the country concerned or of any other developing country in the same region nor to affect adversely the supply of food to their inhabitants. Such purchases shall be integrated as thoroughly as possible into the implementation of Community development policy towards that country, particularly with regard to the promotion of food security in that country or at regional level.

>Text following EP vote>

4. Where food is purchased or sold in a developing country, steps must be taken to ensure that such purchases or sales threaten neither to disrupt the market of the country concerned or of any other developing country in the same region nor to affect adversely the local production or its supply to their inhabitants. Such purchases or sales shall be integrated as thoroughly as possible into the implementation of Community development policy towards that country, particularly with regard to the promotion of food security in that country or at regional level.

(Amendment 34)

Article 12, second paragraph

>Original text>

In such cases, the Community contribution may take the form of a foreign currency facility to be made available to private-sector operators in the country concerned, subject to the operation being part of a sectoral policy (including the strategy on the importation of basic foodstuffs) consistent with the economic policy in question.

>Text following EP vote>

In such cases, the Community contribution may take the form of a foreign currency facility to be made available to private-sector operators in the country concerned, subject to the operation being part of a sectoral policy (including the strategy on the importation of basic foodstuffs) consistent with a socio-economic and agricultural policy geared towards alleviating poverty. The recipients shall be required to furnish proof of the proper use of funds made available. Priority shall be given to small and medium scale private sector operators in order to ensure the complementarity of the actions. The Commission, in so far as its implementing powers are concerned, may decide positive discriminating measures in favour of the small and medium scale private sector operators.

(Amendment 35)

Article 13(2), introductory phrase

>Original text>

2. In other cases where the Commission believes that the Community should cover costs related to the inland transport of food aid, it shall take account of the following general criteria:

>Text following EP vote>

2. Where the Commission believes that the Community should cover costs related to the inland transport of food aid, it shall take account of the following general criteria:

(Amendment 36)

Article 15, 3rd paragraph

>Original text>

Community financing shall not be used to pay taxes, duties and charges.

>Text following EP vote>

Community financing shall not be used to pay import duties and special taxes on foreign aid.

(Amendment 37)

Article 15, 4th paragraph

>Original text>

Any counterpart funds shall be used in accordance with the objectives laid down in this Regulation and in agreement with the Commission.

>Text following EP vote>

Any counterpart funds shall be used in accordance with the objectives laid down in this Regulation and in agreement with the Commission. The competent authority of the recipient country shall keep a record of their receipt and use and shall be required to render account thereof.

(Amendment 38)

Article 17, 1st paragraph

>Original text>

Participation in invitations to tender and other procedures for the award of contracts shall be open on equal terms to all natural and legal persons of the European Community and the recipient country. It may be extended by the Commission to any specific operation to natural and legal persons of other developing countries receiving Community aid.

>Text following EP vote>

Participation in public tendering and other procedures for the award of contracts shall be open on equal terms to all natural and legal persons of the European Union and the recipient country. It may be extended by the Commission to any specific operation to natural and legal persons of other developing countries receiving Community aid.

(Amendment 39)

Article 19(2)

>Original text>

2. Aid shall not be granted to recipients unless they undertake to comply with the allocation, mobilization and implementing conditions communicated to them by the Commission.

>Text following EP vote>

2. Aid shall not be granted to recipient countries, international or non- governmental organisations unless they undertake to comply with the allocation, mobilization and implementing conditions communicated to them by the Commission.

(Amendment 40)

Article 20, 2nd paragraph

>Original text>

To that end, the Member States shall lend it all necessary assistance, and shall in particular provide all relevant information.

>Text following EP vote>

To that end, the Member States and the Commission shall lend each other all necessary assistance, and shall in particular exchange all relevant information.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall ensure the necessary harmonization between its different directorates-general and departments in order to ensure compatibility between operations in the field of food aid and food security and in other fields, in particular the common agricultural policy.

(Amendment 41)

Article 22, 2nd to 4th indents

>Original text>

- establish the total quantities for each product on an annual or multiannual basis,

>Original text>

- lay down rules for mobilization, monitoring and evaluation,

>Text following EP vote>

- lay down rules for mobilization, monitoring and evaluation,

>Original text>

- determine each recipient's share, in terms of quantity and cost, of the products which may be mobilized, within the budget limit for each product,

>Text following EP vote>

- determine each recipient's share, in terms of quantity and cost, of the products which may be mobilized,

(Amendment 42)

Article 23, 1st indent

>Original text>

- granting food aid or aid for an alternative operation and laying down the conditions for the supply of that aid,

>Text following EP vote>

- granting food aid or aid for an operation in support of food security and laying down the conditions for the supply of that aid,

(Amendment 43)

Article 24(2a) (new)

>Text following EP vote>

2a. The Commission must, in particular, examine carefully the long-term implications of any proposal to commit funds for food security at national, regional and household level in the recipient countries.

(Amendment 44)

Article 26

>Original text>

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a Food Aid Committee, hereinafter referred to as 'the Committee¨, composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

2. The Commission must, in particular, examine carefully the long-term implications of any proposal to commit funds for food security at national, regional and household level in the recipient countries.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a draft of the measures of general application to be taken. The committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time-limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

>Original text>

3. The Committee shall draw up its own rules of procedure.

>Text following EP vote>

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes: in addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the committee. It shall inform the committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

(Amendment 45)

Article 28, 1st paragraph

>Original text>

The Member States shall decide on their national food aid programmes and inform the Commission, which, after consulting the Committee and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 27, shall stipulate how notification of national operations is to be provided.

>Text following EP vote>

The Member States shall decide on their national food aid and food security programmes and inform the Commission, which, after consulting the Committee and in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 27, shall stipulate how notification of national operations is to be provided.

(Amendment 46)

Article 28, 2nd paragraph

>Original text>

The coordination of the programming and implementation of Community and national food aid operations shall be the subject of a regular exchange of information within the Committee. In this exchange of information, which shall take place at the request of the chairman of the Committe or a representative of a Member State, account shall also be taken of any known operations by other donors.

>Text following EP vote>

The coordination of the programming and implementation of Community and national food aid and food security operations, as well as their harmonization with other EU policies shall be the subject of a regular exchange of information within the Committee. In this exchange of information, which shall take place at the request of the chairman of the Committe or a representative of a Member State, account shall also be taken of any known operations by other donors.

(Amendment 47)

Article 29

>Original text>

The Committee may examine any other matter concerning food aid raised by its chairman, either on the latter's own initiative or at the request of a representative of a Member State.

>Text following EP vote>

The Committee may examine any other matter concerning food aid and food security raised by its chairman, either on the latter's own initiative or at the request of a representative of a Member State.

(Amendment 48)

Article 30, 1st paragraph

>Original text>

The Commission shall undertake regular evaluations of significant food aid operations to establish whether the objectives laid down in the appraisal of those operations have been achieved and to provide guidelines for improving the effectiveness of future operations. The evaluation reports shall be made available to the Committee.

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall undertake regular evaluations of significant food aid operations to establish whether the objectives laid down in the appraisal of those operations have been achieved and to provide guidelines for improving the effectiveness of future operations. The evaluation reports shall be made available to the Committee and the budgetary authority.

(Amendment 49)

Article 30, 1st paragraph a (new)

>Text following EP vote>

The Commission shall also undertake evaluations on the complementarity of food aid and food security operations with other EU policies.

(Amendment 50)

Article 30, 1st paragraph b (new)

>Text following EP vote>

Supervision by the Commission may be conducted by specialised staff. Such staff can be employed for the duration of the projects, shall be financed from the funds made available for these measures and shall become operational only at the location of the respective projects. The Commission shall itemise the cost of these measures in the preliminary draft budget.

(Amendment 51)

Article 31

>Original text>

The European Parliament shall be informed of the management of food aid by the communication, upon their adoption, of the decisions referred to in Articles 21 to 25 and by the annual transmission of progress reports on the various operations in the financial years concerned.

The decisions referred to in Articles 22 to 25 and the reports referred to in the previous subparagraph shall be communicated to the Council at the same time.

>Text following EP vote>

Each quarter the Commission shall draw up and forward to the budgetary authority a review of the position regarding contracts, payment authorizations and payment commitments, and reviews of service contracts awarded by restricted invitations to tender and by private treaty, their recipients, the amount of assistance granted and the beneficiary institutions, companies, organisations and public bodies.

By 1 September of each year, a comprehensive report evaluating the progress of projects and of their impact on the progress of development in each of the partner States shall be addressed to the Member States, the European Parliament and the Council.

>Text following EP vote>

Every three years beginning in 1998, this report shall be replaced by an interim report on the implementation of the measures during the whole period until that date and shall be submitted by the Commission by 30 June.

>Text following EP vote>

Both the annual and the interim reports shall be the basis for decisions concerning the continuation of the funding within the yearly budgetary procedure.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council Regulation on food aid policy and food aid management and special operations in support of food security (COM(95)0283 - C4-0392/95 - 95/0160(SYN))

(Cooperation procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(95)0283 - 95/0160(SYN) ((OJ C 253, 29.9.1995, p. 10.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Articles 189c and 130w of the EC Treaty (C4-0392/95),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Development and Cooperation and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A4-0285/95),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189c(a) of the EC Treaty;

4. Calls for the conciliation procedure to be opened should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

5. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

6. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.