91999E2029

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2029/99

by Béatrice Patrie (PSE) to the Commission

(3 November 1999)

Subject: Community subsidies for school milk

The press and various associations are currently drawing attention to the present and planned further reductions in Community subsidies for school milk following a decision by the Commission.

Child nutrition experts and specialists argue that milk is essential for children's growth and that school milk schemes make it possible to reach sections of the population which, even today, do not have a sufficiently rich or balanced diet.

The Commission's plans, which are worrying both from a farming point of view and with regard to public health, raise a number of questions:

1. The Agriculture Council of 14 and 15 June 1999 took the view that the consumption of milk should be encouraged because of its high nutritional value, particularly for children and young people.

Why, then, has the Commission gone against the general opinion of the Member States and taken a decision that could jeopardise school milk schemes?

2. Just as the Treaty of Amsterdam has elevated public health policy to the rank of a horizontal Community policy, how can the Commission, in the name of narrow budgetary considerations, risk endangering the health of European children who benefit from the nourishment that school milk provides?

3. From a financial perspective, how can the consumption of milk be encouraged in a cost-effective way, taking account of the overall availability of budgetary resources? Could the subsidies concerned conceivably be transferred from the CAP budget to the health budget so that school milk schemes may continue with due regard for the budgetary constraints?

Joint answer to Written Questions E-2029/99 and E-2054/99 given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(9 December 1999)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.