91998E3369

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3369/98

by Graham Watson (ELDR) to the Commission

(16 November 1998)

Subject: Semi-skimmed milk

Would the Commission confirm that its answer to question E-1368/98(1) is correct?

Is it not in order for Member States to charge different prices for whole and semi-skimmed milk?

Was consideration given to child health issues when Regulation (EEC) 3392/93(2), Article 4.1b was drawn up?

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(7 December 1998)

The Commission confirms that its answer to the Honourable Member's Written Question E-1368/98 is correct.

The Community legislation on school milk subsidies provides that the amount of aid for the different dairy products shall be determined taking into account the milk content of the products concerned. In other words, the amount of aid should be related to the value of the products. The underlying objective is to ensure that the net selling price for the different products would be more or less the same so as to avoid that this price would influence the choice of the pupil for one product or another. However, the regulations do not oblige Member States to charge the same selling price for different products. They merely oblige Member States to take the necessary measures to ensure that the aid is reflected in the price paid by the beneficiary. It is, therefore, admissible that semi-skimmed milk and whole milk be sold at different prices.

The Commission is convinced that the operation of the Community school milk scheme is consistent with policy on health issues.

(1) OJ C 402, 22.12.1998, p. 119.

(2) OJ L 306, 11.12.1993, p. 27.