1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites
Live TV
Latest audioLatest videos
In focus
Israel and the crisis in the Middle EastGerman coalition collapseUS election

Money for Poor Farmers

DPA news agency (win)November 22, 2008

The EU will give 1 billion euros to poor farmers in non-member countries over the next three years. While member states agreed on the matter in principle, there was some disagreement on where to get the money.

https://p.dw.com/p/FzbP
A woman carrying a large basket on her back at a tea farm in Kenya
African farmers will benefit from the EU moneyImage: dpa - Report

EU budget ministers, meeting in Brussels, reached the deal late Friday, Nov. 21, according to diplomats cited by German news agency DPA. The money will be released in three phases up to 2010 with an installment of 270 million euros ($337.4 million) due this year.

"There's agreement -- and Germany supports this -- to make available this money for food production in the poorest countries," said German Deputy Finance Minister Joerg Asmussen.

The money is earmarked for seeds and fertilizers in Africa, among other places. EU Commission President Jose Barroso had suggested the payment six months ago.

After hefty complaints from some member states, including Germany, and the European Parliament, the money will not come from unused EU farming subsidies. Instead, funds from the external relations budget will be re-allocated, with some of the money also coming from funds set aside for unforeseen events.

The EU's overall budget in 2009 will be 116.1 billion euros, with Germany shouldering 7.4 billion euros, making it the bloc's largest financial contributor.

Skip next section Explore more

Explore more

EU Ministers Strike Deal on Farm Aid Reform

EU Ministers Strike Deal on Farm Aid Reform

After marathon negotiations, the EU's agricultural ministers hammered out a series of reforms to Europe's expensive policy of agricultural subsidies. (20.11.2008)
November 20, 2008
A St. Bernhard dog with a first aid barrel of liquor around his neck that has an EU flag on it

German Minister: EU Plans Massive Economic Aid Package

German Minister: EU Plans Massive Economic Aid Package

The European Union is planning to unveil an economic stimulus package worth 130 billion euros, German Economics Minister Michael Glos said Wednesday. All member states will be expected to chip in. (19.11.2008)
November 19, 2008
Woman picks tea in Kenya

EU Promises Food Crisis Aid of 1 Billion Euros Before G8 Summit

EU Promises Food Crisis Aid of 1 Billion Euros Before G8 Summit

As G8 leaders gathered in Japan Monday, the EU has proposed a 1 billion-euro ($1.57 billion) aid package for farmers in developing countries to respond to the global food crisis. But critics say it won't be enough. (07.07.2008)
July 7, 2008