Regulation 2016/791 - Amendment of Regulations (EU) No 1308/2013 and (EU) No 1306/2013 as regards the aid scheme for the supply of fruit and vegetables, bananas and milk in educational establishments - Main contents

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

L 135/1

Section 1 of Chapter II of Title I of Part II of Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (4) provides for a school fruit and vegetables scheme and a school milk scheme.

The experience gained with the application of the current school schemes, together with the conclusions of the external evaluations and subsequent analysis of different policy options and of the social difficulties faced by Member States, point to the conclusion that the continuation and strengthening of the two school schemes is of the utmost importance. In the current context of declining consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables and milk products, especially among children, and of an increasing incidence of child obesity as a result of consumption habits geared to highly processed foods which, in addition, are often high in added sugars, salt, fat or additives, the Union aid to finance the supply to children in educational establishments of selected agricultural products should do more to promote healthy eating habits and the consumption of local products.

The analysis of different policy options indicates that a unified approach under a common legal and financial framework is the most appropriate and effective way of meeting the specific objectives that the common agricultural policy is pursuing through school schemes. Such an approach would allow Member States to maximise the impact of distribution within a fixed budget and increase management efficiency. However, in order to take into account the differences between fruit and vegetables, including bananas, and milk and milk products, i.e. ‘school fruit and vegetables’ and ‘school milk’ as defined in this Regulation, and their supply chains, certain elements, such as the respective budgetary envelopes, should remain separate. In the light of the experience with the current schemes, participation in the school scheme should continue to be voluntary for Member States. Taking into account the different consumption patterns across Member States, it should be possible for participating Member States and regions to choose, in the context of their strategies, which of the products eligible for supply to children in educational establishments they wish to distribute. Member States could also consider introducing targeted measures in order to address declining milk consumption in the target group.

A trend of declining consumption of, in particular, fresh fruit and vegetables and drinking milk has been identified. It is therefore appropriate to focus distribution under the school scheme on those products as a priority. This would also help to reduce the organisational burden on schools and to increase the impact of the distribution within a limited budget and would be in line with the current practice, as those products are the ones most frequently distributed. However, in order to follow nutritional recommendations on calcium absorption and to promote the consumption of...