Parliamentarians show support for vaccines, health and agriculture in next EU budget

Sep 19th, 2012 5:25 PM UTC
By Johanna Stratmann

In December 2011, the European Commission proposed a draft regulation for a renewed “Development Cooperation Instrument” (DCI). Once adopted by the European Parliament and the 27 Member States, this regulation will define the implementation of EU development programmes worth a proposed €23 billion over a 7-year period, with the specific aim of global poverty reduction and – in the long run – eradication.

Photo: aid in action – vaccinating children against rotavirus in Nicaragua

On 18^th September, the European Parliament’s Development Committee adopted a list of amendments to the DCI regulation that effectively constitutes its negotiating mandate vis-à-vis the Member States. Members of the Committee took a firm stand on important issues such as health, agriculture and sustainable energy that – if agreed in the upcoming negotiations and written into EU legislation – will improve the lives of millions of people in developing countries.

Among others, the European Parliament proposes that:

• The DCI would strengthen health systems in order to make medicines and vaccines more affordable for the poor and will support strategies to reduce maternal and child mortality;
• It would support specific initiatives at regional and global level in priority areas such as child and maternal health, immunisation and HIV/AIDS;
• At least 20% of DCI funds should be used for the provision of basic social services, especially health and education;
• It would support sustainable agriculture, address food insecurity and malnutrition with a specific focus on the early ages of childhood;
• It would support access to sustainable energy services as a key driver for poverty eradication in partner countries.
• The DCI would enable the EU – in line with its commitment of providing continued support for human development – to improve peoples’ lives in line with the Millennium Development Goals;

Now that the European Parliament’s DCI team has been given its mandate, the formal negotiations with representatives of the other EU institutions and Member States will begin on 26^th September. This so-called “Trialogue” process is expected to continue at the very least until mid-2013, so that programme implementation can start from 2014 onwards.

Meanwhile, the fight to save overall levels of EU aid in the next budget 2014-2020 continues. Last year ONE members successfully campaigned for the proposals on the next EU budget to include an increase in international aid. But this proposed new life-saving budget is now under threat! To take action, sign ONE’s petition to protect EU aid now!

TAGS: Aid, EU budget, European Union, HIV/AIDS, Millennium Development Goals