Africa: "Barroso billion" for Africa faces snag

European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso's plan to grant 1.0 billion euros in aid for African farmers has run into trouble over financing, EU officials said on Friday. Barroso proposed in July to use unspent EU farm funds on a programme to buy seed and fertiliser for Africa in 2008 and 2009, helping to address what was then perceived as a global food crisis.