MEPs this month approved an emergency package of food aid to Russia worth some €400 million. The assistance will come from existing EU stocks of beef, cereals, powdered milk and rice but with strict conditions governing controls to ensure that it will reach the people in need.
But Austria's Foreign Minister Wolfgang Schussel was well aware of Parliament's concern over the possibility of fraud and fears that aid could end up in the hands of the Russian mafia. Following recent scandals over the misuse of EU food aid in Bosnia, he reassured MEPs that controls would be in place to guard against these dangers.
The legislation provides for the Court of Auditors to carry out spot checks at any particular time and for the Commission to suspend the programme immediately if fraud is discovered.
Liam Hyland (Leinster, UFE) said he shared Parliament's concern at the plight of the Russian people. As is normally the case women and children are the victims of political mismanagement. Food aid is a short term emergency measure and is not a substitute for political and economic reform. The economic problems in Russia have serious consequences for the EU and particularly for Ireland because of our beef exports to that country.