The European Economic and Social Committee welcomed the political agreement reached within the Council that guarantees the continuation of the food aid programme in 2012 and 2013. However, it deeply deplores the uncertainty about the scheme's continuation after 2013 and encourages the Commission to use its right of initiative to draw up a new proposal.

The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) welcomed the continuation of the food aid scheme programme in 2012 and 2013. Nevertheless, it also asked to continue such scheme after 2013 and it encourages the Commission to use its right of initiative to draw up a new proposal. In June, it was already announced a sharp reduction on the funds for the 2012 'most deprived person programme'.

The EESC members approved an opinion on this subject as a matter of urgency on 8 December, in which they asked for the continuation of the programme because it gives the European public a positive image of the European Union and deserves to be continued in 2014 and beyond.

In its paper, the EESC agrees with the financing of the scheme from the CAP budget, with the current level of funding, in 2012 and 2013. In addition, the Committee is pleased to note that the food aid scheme will continue to be fully funded from the EU budget, with no requirement for co-financing by the Member States. Moreover, the EESC supports the possibility to compensate for the shortfall in intervention stocks by purchasing food products on the market, and welcomes the fact that Member States will have the option of giving preference to products of Union origin in their calls for tender.