Brussels, 18/03/2013 (Agence Europe) - The final distribution of EU aid 2013/2014 under the programme for the distribution of fruits and vegetables in schools was decided upon on 14 March by the management committee of the EU and will be notified to the member states by the end of March.
This will be the fifth year of application of the scheme, which benefited more than 8 million children in 2011/2012. Of a total envelope of EU funds of €90 million, the main beneficiaries are Italy (€20.5 million), Poland (€13.6 million) Germany (€12 million), Romania (€4.9 million), France (€4.7 million), Hungary (€4.5 million), Spain (€4.4 million) and the Czech Republic. 24 countries of the EU (plus Croatia) apply this scheme, to promote the consumption of fruit and vegetables in schools. Only Sweden, Finland and the United Kingdom do not take part.
According to a recent report by the Commission, the scheme has led to an increase in the quantity of fruits and vegetables consumed by children. The report concludes that, if it is extended over the long term, the programme can be considered as an appropriate instrument to bring positive influence to bear on children's eating habits. In the framework of the reform package of the common agriculture policy (CAP), the Commission has proposed to increase the budget from €90 to €150 million and to increase the rate of co-funding, the current level of which has been identified as an obstacle to the adoption of higher budgets.
The Commission recently launched a public consultation to review this scheme and a separate programme to promote the consumption of milk in schools. The aim is to improve synergies between the two schemes and to look into various options to develop them in the future, such as the possibility of a new, broader programme. (LC/transl.fl)