91997E2444

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2444/97 by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission (16 July 1997)

Subject: EU Milk Availability Scheme

In the UK there is a high rate of heart disease. The provision of semi-skimmed milk in schools is high on the list of concerns of community dietetics departments.

Since there is a wish to encourage the consumption of milk, while recognizing that more teenagers, especially girls, may drink more milk if the fat content were reduced, does the Commission have any proposals to raise the semi-skimmed subsidy to the same level as whole milk?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission (19 September 1997)

The amount of aid for different milk products distributed under the Community school milk scheme is fixed by the Commission on the basis of the provisions in Article 1 of Council Regulation (EEC) No 1842/83 laying down general rules for the supply of milk and certain milk products at reduced prices to schoolchildren ((OJ L 183, 7.7.1983. )). This article provides that the aid for whole milk shall be equal to 95% of the target price for milk, while in the case of other milk products, the amounts of the aid shall be determined taking into account the milk content of the products concerned. This provision results in a lower amount of aid for semi-skimmed milk compared with whole milk.

The Commission does not currently intend to make a proposal to amend Council Regulation (EEC) No 1842/83. It will, however, continue to evaluate the situation in the light of the EC Treaty requirement that a high level of human health protection shall form a constituent part of the Community's other policies.