Wheat group warns shrinking U.S. food aid programs

Wheat group warns shrinking U.S. food aid programs    U.S. Wheat Associates warns that America’s supply of food aid to overseas countries is shrinking.
   The Washington-based trade group reported in its Jan. 18 newsletter that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is planning to reduce its multiyear feeding programs by more than half to those countries already receiving food aid.
   “USAID currently has Title II Food for Peace programs in 32 countries, but humanitarian organizations have been warned that programs in 17 countries will be eliminated,” Wheat Associates said.
   The group’s newsletter article said there are hints that USAID may be cutting those countries that sided with the European Union’s World Trade Organization proposal to replace food aid programs with cash payments.
   If the program cuts go forward, “World Vision estimates that they would have to eliminate humanitarian service to almost 2 million people, and Catholic Relief Services programs would likely be hit twice as hard as that,” Wheat Associates said.
   In 1999, the U.S. government shipped about 4.8 million metric tons of wheat-based food aid overseas. Since then, these volumes have continued to decline.
   “In the last full marketing year, 2005-2006, the U.S. donated 1,737,500 metric tons of wheat, according to unofficial records from USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture),” Wheat Associates said. “For 2000-2006, only 808,000 metric tons has been donated through Nov. 30, according to USDA’s most recent unofficial update.”