MEP warns about food aid deadlock

Ireland stands to lose €900,000 in food aid from the EU for people in need in this country, unless a deadlock can be resolved…

Ireland stands to lose €900,000 in food aid from the EU for people in need in this country, unless a deadlock can be resolved in the coming weeks, according to Ireland East MEP, Maireád McGuinness.

She said the EU food programme provides €1.2 million to Ireland to purchase food for distribution to people in need. “The programme had a total budget of €500 million but this is set to be reduced to €113 million,” she explained.

Six member states are blocking efforts to unlock the impasse and allow for an increase in the budget to ensure that for next year charities that avail of the programme will continue to receive food aid,” she added.