EU split over food aid plans for the poor

EU countries were divided on Friday over plans to step up food aid to their population’s poorest members, with some arguing the farm budget should not be used for social policy.

"I heard a pretty big majority (of countries) were interested in this programme, but that others have problems with it," said French Agriculture Minister Michel Barnier after chairing a meeting with counterparts.

He left it up to experts from EU member states to try to hammer out a compromise as well as the Czech Republic, which takes over the bloc’s rotating presidency in January and is opposed to the plans.