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Dept for International Development

Answer

Mrs. Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures are in place to prevent food shortages after the cessation of the UN Oil for Food programme in Iraq. [133552] Hilary Benn: The ending of OFF will result in a change in management responsibilities for the Iraqi food procurement and distribution system, and not the end of the food distribution system. There is food in the pipeline until mid 2004 from contracts already funded and signed. As these contracts begin to expire the CPA will take over responsibility for contracting the supply of food and basic goods. Handover preparations have been under way for some time. The Ministry of Trade within the CPA is assessing expected OFF imports, the so called "food pipeline", against total needs. Where there is a shortfall the CPA is contracting alternative suppliers to provide the food. The financing for this will come from the CPA budget. In the South and Centre of Iraq the Ministry of Trade has always had responsibility for distributing food and basic goods purchased under the Oil For Food scheme. This will not change with the ending of the Oil for Food programme. In the three Northern Governorates the Oil for Food programme was run by the World Food Programme. On 21 November responsibility in the North for this system will pass to a new organisation, the "Program Co-ordination Office". This will work under the CPA and may be able to re-employ many of those currently employed on the distribution side. Work is progressing to ensure that this office has the capacity to carry out its new role. The UK has a food security advisor in the CPA Ministry of Trade, and stands ready to provide further assistance against identified needs.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

411 c686W;411 c691-2W; 133552

Session

2002-03

Subjects

Iraq Food supply Oil Food aid

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk