The Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust: Background and Current Issues (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
April 17, 2003 |
| Report Number |
RS21234 |
| Report Type |
Report |
| Authors |
Charles E. Hanrahan, Resources, Science and Industry Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
The Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust is becoming a critical component of the U.S. response to
humanitarian food emergencies in Africa, Iraq, and elsewhere. The Trust, as presently constituted,
was enacted in the 1998 Africa Seeds of Hope Act ( P.L. 105-385 ). It replaced the Food Security
Commodity Reserve established in 1996 and its predecessor the Food Security Wheat Reserve of
1980. The Trust is a reserve of up to 4 million metric tons of wheat, corn, sorghum and rice that can
be used to help fulfill P.L. 480 food aid commitments to developing countries under two conditions:
(1) to meet unanticipated emergency needs in developing countries, or (2) when U.S. domestic
supplies are short. The Trust can also hold funds. Administration proposals to reduce food aid's
reliance on surplus commodities and anticipated demand for emergency food aid have focused
renewed attention on the Emerson Trust, which has been used four times in FY2002 and FY2003
to meet unanticipated food needs in Africa and Iraq. About 1.1 million metric tons of wheat remain
in the Trust. As the Trust is drawn down, reimbursement and replenishment of the Trust for
commodities released become important issues. This report will be updated as developments occur.
