Proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL REGULATION amending Article 21 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1292/96 on food-aid policy and food-aid management and special operations in support of food security

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

The aim of the attached proposal is to amend Council Regulation (EC) No 1292/96 of 27 June 1996 (published in OJ L 166, 5 July 1996) on food-aid policy and food-aid management and special operations in support of food security, in order to bring Article 21 of the Regulation into line with Article III of the new Food Aid Convention 1999 (approved by Council Decision 2000/421/EC of 13 June 2000).

The Community is a member of the International Grains Agreement, which is made up of two separate legal instruments: the Grains Trade Convention 1995 and the Food Aid Convention. The situation is now as follows:

- the Grains Trade Convention has been extended until 30 June 2001,

- the new Food Aid Convention 1999 was approved by the Council Decision of 13 June 2000 and will remain in force until 30 June 2002 inclusive provided the Grains Trade Convention or a successor also remains in force until then.

The objective of the Food Aid Convention 1999 is to "contribute to world food security and to improve the ability of the international community to respond to emergency food situations and other food needs of developing countries". Its sets the minimum annual contribution from the Community and its Member States at 1 320 000 tonnes of wheat equivalent and EUR 130 million, the Community's share being 990 000 tonnes.

The main substantive differences between the Food Aid Convention 1999 and the one it replaces are essentially as follows:

- the list of developing countries and territories eligible for food aid refers to the new DAC (OECD Development Aid Committee) list, including updates. The countries and territories in question are: least-developed countries, other low-income countries, lower middle-income countries, and other countries included in the WTO list of Net Food-Importing Developing Countries;

- the product list now extends well beyond cereals;

- members' commitments are expressed either in terms of tonnes of wheat equivalent or in value, or in a combination of tonnage and value.

Article 21 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1292/96 of 27 June 1996 currently states:

"1. The Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, shall determine the Community share of the overall amount of cereals aid laid down in the Food Aid Convention as the total contribution of both the Community and its Member States.

2. The Commission shall coordinate the operations of the Community and the Member States as regards the supply of cereals aid under the Food Aid Convention and shall ensure that the total contribution by the Community and its Member States is at least as high as the quantities provided for in the said Convention."

In that this formula refers only to cereals, it is out of date.

It is therefore proposed that Article 21 of Council Regulation (EC) 1292/96 be amended in accordance with the codecision procedure, as is appropriate.

2001/0005 (COD)

Proposal for a EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL REGULATION amending Article 21 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1292/96 on food-aid policy and food-aid management and special operations in support of food security

THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 179 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty,

Whereas:

(1) The Community and its Member States take part in a number of international agreements relating to food-aid policy, food-aid management and special operations in support of food security, among them the Food Aid Convention.

(2) The Food Aid Convention 1999 was approved by Council Decision 2000/421/EC of 13 June 2000 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Community, of the Food Aid Convention 1999. [1]

[1] Council Decision of 13 June 2000 - 2000/421/EC - OJ L 163, 4.7.2000.

(3) Article 21 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1292/96 of 27 June 1996 [2] must be adapted substantively and legally in line with Articles III and IV of the Food Aid Convention 1999,

[2] Council Regulation (EC) No 1292/96 of 27 June 1996 - OJ L 166, 5.7.1996.

HAVE ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:

Article 1

Article 21 of Council Regulation (EC) No 1292/96 is amended as follows:

"1. The Council, acting by a qualified majority on a proposal from the Commission and after consulting the European Parliament, shall determine the Community share of the overall amount of aid, either in tonnes of wheat equivalent or in value or in a combination of tonnage and value, laid down in the Food Aid Convention as the total contribution of both the Community and its Member States.

2. The Commission shall coordinate the operations of the Community and the Member States as regards the supply of cereals aid under the Food Aid Convention and shall ensure that the total contribution by the Community and its Member States is at least as high as the quantities provided for in the said Convention."

Article 2

This Regulation shall enter into force on the day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

This Regulation is binding in its entirety and is directly applicable in all Member States.

Done at Brussels,

For the European Parliament For the Council

The President The President