Brussels, 01/10/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 30 September, in Brussels, the agriculture ministers of EU member states generally supported the proposal aimed at establishing a programme for the distribution of fruit and vegetables in school. The aim of the programme is to contribute to the fight against obesity in children. For this, the proposal foresees a Community budget of €90 million annually. (EUROPE 9741).
“There is debate” on the products to be distributed (local, Community), on the financing of programmes if EU countries have already taken such initiatives (as in France and Ireland), said Michel Barnier, French Agriculture Minister, after noting broad support in favour of the programme. Young Europeans consume on average “four times less fruit and vegetables than their grandparents did”, he commented. In disadvantaged homes, this consumption is “even less” (hence “double food injustice”). A political agreement on the issue is expected during the October Council (17-18 October, Luxembourg).
To sum up, Council discussions showed that: - many countries consider the budgetary allocation proposed (€90 million) is not generous enough. Only the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands are not of this opinion, considering that the budget is sufficient, if not excessive (but these countries are not opposed to launching the programme); - a majority of member states want the system to be simpler and as flexible as possible, mainly concerning the target population (age of children) and the choice of products (fresh, processed); - with regard to the origin of products concerned by the provision, a large majority of delegations want to give preference to Community origin, after the fashion of what is done for the milk distribution scheme in schools. (L.C./transl.jl)