Pearson 1.2.68

A significant rise in U.S. food grain aid to needy countries is planned even though European Common Market countries are apparently going to fall short of meeting their commiments under a new 17-nation international food aid agreement. The pact calls for participating countries to provide 4.5 million tons food grains annually ; it runs for three years.

Currently, and for the past couple of years, U.S. food grain donations have run about 1.4 million tons a year. Even if the Common Market straightens itself out it probably won’t be able to supply its million-ton share ; the U.S. expects to fill the gap, and will boost its contribution to at least 1.9 million tons, probably to more than 2 million tons.