Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2011-09-28-Speech-3-338-000"
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"en.20110928.22.3-338-000"2
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"Mr President, at present 43 million people in the EU are at risk of food poverty, meaning that they cannot afford a meal with meat, chicken or fish every second day. The blocking minority in Council towards this programme is unacceptable. Opposition to this scheme on the basis of competence, bureaucracy or budget are semantics that mean nothing to those who are hungry and rely on this programme.
One of the five objectives of the EU 2020 strategy is the reduction of poverty and social exclusion in the European Union. This programme represents a real method of physically addressing poverty that delivers immediate results. While it does not address the root causes of poverty it improves the immediate situation for those who cannot afford to feed themselves or their families. Sometimes we need to take the small goals and not always be looking at the ideological bigger picture.
Many EU programmes addressing poverty and social inclusion are very well intentioned and well written but they often stay on paper without ever benefiting the EU citizens they are targeting. This programme directly assists organisations and currently provides food for 13 million people suffering from poverty in 19 Member States and has distribution chains involving some 240 food banks and charities. That is real and measurable assistance on the ground, directly benefiting those who need it most and not just an aspirational goal.
A little bit of common sense if not some compassion is required from EU leaders on this issue and I welcome the comments by the President of the Commission on this earlier today and also the contributions from the Commissioner and the Minister earlier in this debate. Now is not the time to be playing politics with such an important programme."@en1
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