Development ministers say yes to mobilisation of € 1 billion to agriculture in developing countries

Brussels, 01/10/08: During the informal Bordeaux Council on 29-30 September, the EU27 development ministers discussed and approved the proposal of transferring €1bn from Community resources to agriculture support for developing countries. The €1bn was promised by the Commission at the last G8 summit and is intended to save the 2008 and 2009 harvest in developing countries. The development ministers are however unable to speak on behalf of the finance ministers and the issue will continue to be discussed both within member states and in the European Parliament, that has co-decision powers on this matter. Further, there is still no decision as to whether the funding will come from the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP).