A Consumer Group Have Issued Detailed Figures Of Where And How Much Food Is Being Stockpiled Throughout The Region

Interview about alternatives to subsidised food stockpiles during the African famine.

An interview with Stephen Crampton of Consumers in Europe Group for a news story that the group have published details of food stockpiles in the context of EEC food subsidies and the famine in Ethiopia and Sudan. Mr Crampton describes the way food storage and subsidies regulate the market and support farmers financially. He explains that the price of cereals also affects other products including breakfast cereals, bacon, pork and eggs because of animal feed. Asked if the subsidies avoid farmers going out of business, he suggests that risk could be addressed in alternative ways, and that the system benefits those who are better off. Anglia TV reporter Owen Spencer-Thomas asks about the potential to send grain to Ethiopia during the famine. Mr Crampton mentions the reluctance of the Ethiopian government to ensure customs and transport security for foreign aid. He says farmers receive EEC subsidies for other products which may be stockpiled including beef, butter, fruit, vegetables, sugar, olive oil and wine. These are unsuitable to send as overseas aid, but the subsidies they attract could be better spent towards famine relief. This short video was made to be shown in a news story on Anglia Television early evening news / magazine programme About Anglia.

Keywords

Food subsidies; Food mountains; Famine; EEC food subsidies; Farming; European Economic Community; Overseas aid

Additional Description

Stephen Crampton was Chief Executive of the Consumers in Europe Group, an independent research and public affairs umbrella body for 34 non-governmental organisations concerned with EU policies and their impact on UK consumers.