Brussels, 19/11/2008 (Agence Europe) - In Brussels on Wednesday 19 November, the Agriculture Ministers of the Member States of the EU reached a political agreement on the creation of a Community programme to distribute fruit (including bananas) and vegetables to schools. The beneficiaries will be children aged from six to 10 years. The objective of this programme is to increase the proportion of fruit and vegetables in children's diets at an age when they are acquiring their eating habits (see EUROPE 9785 for the results of the vote of the European Parliament).
The Community budget per school year retained is the one initially proposed by the European Commission: 90 million euros. The only additional present is that Member States taking part in the programme will receive Community aid of a minimum of 175,000 euros each. By virtue of this regulation, the Member States will be able to select the products eligible depending on objective criteria including seasonality, the availability of products and environmental concerns. They may also give preference to products of Community origin.
In a declaration, the Commission notes that several Member States have asked to have the option of providing for an obligatory parental contribution to the funding of these programmes. (L.C./trans.fl)