The European Commission adopted a delegated act on Thursday 3 November aiming to ensure the smooth operation of the Community scheme for the distribution of fruit and vegetables, bananas and milk in schools (see EUROPE 11529).
The delegated act (which has not yet been formally adopted) contains provisions supplementing certain non-essential parts of the rules as regards: - the drawing-up of the member states’ strategies for implementing the school scheme and the accompanying educational measures; - the eligible costs; - the approval and selection of aid applicants and the penalties for applicants failing to comply with the requirements; - the maximum levels for added sugar that may be allowed by member states in products distributed under the school scheme; - and the requirements to ensure added value and visibility of the school scheme. It also contains provisions on the calculation of the exchange rate for amounts granted under the school scheme.
Regulation 1308/2013 amalgamates two separate school schemes – the school fruit scheme and the school milk scheme – under a single legal framework in order to bring greater efficiency, more focused support and an enhanced educational dimension. It also empowers the Commission to adopt delegated and implementing acts. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)