91997E2443

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2443/97 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: EU Milk Availability Scheme

Since the withdrawal of the UK from the EU's Milk Availability Scheme, the cost of milk in British schools has increased in some instances by over 100%.

Does the Commission recognize the importance of milk in a child's diet? Would the Commission agree that those affected most by the withdrawal of 'discretionary elements' are children from deprived backgrounds, who are no longer able to benefit from subsidized milk? Does the Commission believe it desirable to see the scheme reintroduced throughout all Member States?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (10 September 1997)

The United Kingdom has continued to apply the Community school milk scheme but decided in 1995 to limit the application of the scheme to its compulsory elements. To the extent that these changes have affected the selling price of milk and milk products for certain schoolchildren, the impact of these measures may have been different according to the background of the children concerned.

In view of the importance of milk in a child's diet and of the positive role of the Community school milkscheme in this respect, the Commission is in favour of applying the scheme throughout the Community.