Brussels, 06/06/2014 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 5 June, the Management Committee of the EU approved the allocations for 2014 and 2015 for the 26 member states participating in the Community programme to promote the consumption of fruit in schools (see EUROPE 11008).
This decision takes account of the increase from €90 to €150 million of the envelope available under the common agriculture policy 2014-2020. For the first time, the money available will be used to support accompanying teaching measures to promote healthy eating habits, by means of increased consumption of fruit and vegetables, amongst other things.
For the period from 1 August 2014 to 31 July, the national allocations of funds for each country will be as follows: - Belgium: €3,369,750 (co-financing rate 75%); - Bulgaria: €3,652,530 (90%); - Czech Republic: €5,487,828 (88%); - Denmark: €2,712,957 (75%); - Germany: €22,828,240 (75%); - Estonia: €766,106 (90%); - Ireland: €913,548 (75%); - Greece: €3,143,600 (81%); - Spain: €10,724,670 (75%); - France: €15,000,000 (76%); - Croatia: €1,360,845 (90%); - Italy: €29,219,794 (80%); - Cyprus: €290,000 (75%); - Latvia: €1,105,420 (90%); - Lithuania: €1,571,569 (90%); - Luxembourg: €434,954 (75%); - Hungary: €5,402,378 (86%); - Malta: €337,500 (75%); - Netherlands: €5,434,576 (75%); - Austria: €1,800,000 (75%); - Poland: €20,511,539 (88%); - Portugal: €3,284,967 (85%); - Romania: €6,869,985 (89%); - Slovenia: €775,718 (83%); - Slovakia: €3,001,526 (89%). Finland and the United Kingdom are not taking part in the programme.
According to the World Health Organisation, nearly one out of every three children aged between six and nine was overweight or obese in 2010, a trend which is on the increase. (MB)