EN Official Journal of the European Union C 353/82

P8_TA(2015)0216

Aid scheme for the supply of fruit and vegetables, bananas and milk in the educational establishments (Decision on the opening of interinstitutional negotiations)

European Parliament decision of 27 May 2015 on the opening of, and mandate for, interinstitutional negotiations on the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 and Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013 as regards the aid scheme for the supply of fruit and vegetables, bananas and milk in the educational establishments (COM(2014)0032 — C8-0025/2014 — 2014/0014(COD))

(2016/C 353/15)

The European Parliament,

— having regard to the proposal of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development,

— having regard to Rule 73(2) and Rule 74 of its Rules of Procedure,

decides to open interinstitutional negotiations on the basis of the following mandate:

MANDATE

Amendment 1

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 2

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (2) The experience gained with the application of the current schemes, together with the conclusions of the external evaluations and subsequent analysis of different policy options, point to the conclusion that the rationale which led to the establishment of the two school schemes is still relevant . In the current context of declining consumption of fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk products, exacerbated by amongst other things , the modern trend towards the consumption of highly processed foods which, additionally, are often high in added sugars, salt and fat, the Union aid to finance the supply to children in educational establishments of selected agricultural products should therefore continue to exist . (2) The experience gained with the application of the current schemes, together with the conclusions of the external evaluations, subsequent analysis of different policy options and 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 including bananas 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, additionally, are often high in added sugars, salt, fat and/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 .

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 6. This compromise emphasises the importance of the school schemes, as well as the reasons why it should continue and be reinforced. Furthermore, following the Commission's decision to revaluate the proposal, it is important that the Parliament adopts a strong position in favour of the continuation of the schemes.

Amendment 2

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 3

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (3) The analysis of different policy options points out that a unified approach under a common legal and financial framework is more appropriate and effective in meeting the specific objectives that the Common Agricultural Policy is pursuing through school schemes. This would allow Member States to maximise the impact of distribution within a constant budget and increase the management efficiency. However, in order to take into account the differences between the fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk products and their supply chains, certain elements should remain separate, such as the respective budgetary envelopes. In light of the experience with the current schemes, the participation in the scheme should continue to be voluntary for Member States. Taking into the account the different consumption situations across Member States, the possibility should be given to participating Member States to choose whether they want to distribute all or just one of the products eligible for the supply to children in educational establishments. (3) The analysis of different policy options points out that a unified approach under a common legal and financial framework is more appropriate and effective in meeting the specific objectives that the Common Agricultural Policy is pursuing through school schemes. This would allow Member States to maximise the impact of distribution within a constant budget and increase management efficiency. However, in order to take into account the differences between the fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk products and their supply chains, certain elements should remain separate, such as the respective budgetary envelopes. In light of the experience with the current schemes, participation in the scheme should continue to be voluntary for Member States. Taking into the account the different consumption situations across Member States, the possibility should be given to participating Member States to choose , in agreement with the interested regions, whether they want to distribute all or just one of the products eligible for the supply to children in educational establishments. Member States could also consider introducing targeted measures in order to address declining milk consumption among adolescents.

Amendment 3

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 4

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (4) A trend of declining consumption in particular of fresh fruit and vegetables including bananas and drinking milk has been identified. It is therefore appropriate to focus the distribution under the school schemes on these products. This would in turn also help reduce the organisational burden for schools, increase the impact of the distribution within a limited budget and would be in line with the current practice, as these products are most frequently distributed. (4) A trend of declining consumption in particular of fresh fruit and vegetables including bananas and drinking milk has been identified. It is therefore appropriate to focus the distribution under the school schemes on these products as a priority . This would in turn also help reduce the organisational burden for schools and increase the impact of the distribution within a limited budget and would be in line with the current practice, as these products are most frequently distributed. However, in order to follow nutritional recommendations on calcium absorption, and given the increase in problems associated with intolerance of lactose in milk, Member States should be allowed to distribute other milk products, such as yoghurt and cheese, which have uncontested beneficial effects on children's health. Furthermore, efforts should be made to ensure the distribution of local and regional products.

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 1 — part 3.

Amendment 4

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 5

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (5) Educational measures that support the distribution are necessary in order to make the scheme effective in reaching its short- and long-term objectives of increasing the consumption of selected agricultural products and shaping healthier diets. Considering their importance, these measures should support both the fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk distribution . They should be eligible for the Union aid. As supporting measures they represent a critical tool to reconnect children with agriculture and its different products and to meet the objectives that the scheme is pursuing, Member States should be allowed to include a wider variety of agricultural products into their thematic measures . However, so as to promote healthy eating habits, the national health authorities should be involved in this process and approve the list of these products, as well as the two groups of products eligible for the distribution, and decide on their nutritional aspects. (5) Accompanying educational measures that support the distribution are necessary in order to make the scheme effective in reaching its short- and long-term objectives of increasing the consumption of selected agricultural products and shaping healthier diets. Considering their importance, these measures should support the distribution of both fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk and milk products . They should be eligible for the Union aid. As accompanying educational measures, they represent a critical tool to reconnect children with agriculture and the variety of Union agricultural products, particularly those produced in their region, with the help of, for example, nutrition experts and farmers, and to meet the objectives that the scheme is pursuing, Member States should be allowed to include in their thematic measures a wider variety of agricultural products , such as processed fruit and vegetables without the addition of sugar, salt, fat or sweeteners, and other local, regional or national specialities, such as honey, table olives, olive oil and dried fruits . However, so as to promote healthy eating habits, the national authorities responsible for nutrition and/or health should be involved in this process and should approve the list of these products, as well as the two groups of products eligible for the distribution, and should decide on their nutritional aspects.

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 2 — part 5.

Amendment 5

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 6

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (6) In order to ensure a sound budgetary management, a fixed ceiling of the Union aid towards the distribution of fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk, supporting educational measures and related costs should be provided for. This ceiling should reflect the current situation. In light of the experience gained and with a view to simplify the management, the financing models should be approximated and based on a single approach as regards the level of Union financial contribution. It is therefore appropriate to limit the level of Union aid towards the price of products through a maximum Union aid per portion both for fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk and abolish the principle of obligatory co-financing for fruit and vegetables including bananas. Considering the price volatility of products in question, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of measures setting the levels of the Union aid towards the price of a portion of products and laying down the definition of a portion . (6) In order to ensure sound budgetary management, a fixed ceiling of the Union aid towards the distribution of fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk, accompanying educational measures and related costs should be provided for. This ceiling should reflect the current situation. In light of the experience gained and with a view to simplifying the management, the financing models should be approximated and based on a single approach as regards the level of Union financial contribution. It is therefore appropriate to limit the level of Union aid towards the price of products through a maximum amount of Union aid per child and per distribution operation both for fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk and abolish the principle of obligatory co-financing for fruit and vegetables including bananas. Considering the price volatility of the products in question, the power to adopt certain acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of measures setting the ceiling of the Union aid.

Amendment 6

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 7

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (7) In order to ensure the efficient and targeted use of Union funds, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of measures fixing the indicative allocations of the Union aid to each Member State and the methods for reallocating aid between Member States on the basis of aid requests received. The indicative allocations should be fixed separately for the fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk in line with the voluntary approach to distribution. The allocation key for fruit and vegetables including bananas should reflect the current allocations by Member States, based on the objective criteria of the number of children in the age group of six- to ten-year olds as a proportion of the population, taking into the account also the development status of regions concerned. In order to allow Member States to maintain the scale of their current programmes and with a view of encouraging others to take up the distribution of milk, it is appropriate to use the combination of two keys for the allocation of the funds for milk, namely the historical use of funds by Member States under the School Milk Scheme and the objective criteria of the number of children in the age group of six- to ten-year olds as a proportion of the population used for the fruit and vegetables including bananas. In order to find the right proportion for these two keys, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of adopting additional rules concerning the balance between the two criteria. Furthermore, considering the recurrent changes in the demographic or development situation of regions in Member States, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of assessing every three years whether the Member States' allocations, based on those criteria, are still up to date. (7) In order to ensure the efficient and targeted use of Union funds, the power to adopt certain acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of measures fixing the indicative allocations of the Union aid to each Member State and the methods for reallocating aid between Member States on the basis of aid requests received. The indicative allocations should be fixed separately for the fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk in line with the voluntary approach to distribution. The allocation key for fruit and vegetables including bananas should reflect the current allocations by Member States, based on the objective criteria of the number of children in the age group of six- to ten-year olds as a proportion of the population, taking into the account also the development status of regions concerned. In order to allow Member States to maintain the scale of their current programmes and with a view to encouraging others to take up the distribution of milk, it is appropriate to use the combination of four keys for the allocation of the funds for milk, namely the historical use of funds by Member States under the School Milk Scheme , except in the case of Croatia, for which a specific fixed amount is to be determined on the basis of this Regulation, the objective criteria of the number of children in the age group of six- to ten-year-olds as a proportion of the population used for the fruit and vegetables including bananas , the degree of development of the regions within a Member State and the setting-up of a minimum level of spending of the Union aid per child and per year . In order to find the right proportion for these four keys, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of adopting additional rules concerning the balance between the four criteria. Furthermore, considering the recurrent changes in the demographic or development situation of regions in Member States, the power to adopt certain acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of assessing every three years whether the Member States' allocations, based on those criteria, are still up to date. An increase of 5 % should be applied to the Union aid in the implementation of this scheme in outermost regions, in view of their limited agricultural diversification and the frequent impossibility of finding certain products in the region concerned, which involves higher transport and storage costs.

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 4 — part 3.

Amendment 7

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 8

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (8) In order to allow the Member States with a limited demographic size to implement a cost effective scheme, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of setting the minimum amount of the Union aid that Member States are entitled to receive for fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk. (8) In order to allow the Member States with a limited demographic size to implement a cost-effective scheme, the power to adopt certain acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of setting the minimum amount of the Union aid that Member States are entitled to receive for fruit and vegetables including bananas , milk and milk products .

Amendment 8

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 9

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (9) In the interest of sound administration and budget management, Member States wishing to participate in the distribution of fruit and vegetables including bananas and/or milk should apply every year for the Union aid. With a view of simplifying the procedures and management, this application should be done on the basis of separate aid requests. Following the requests of the Member States, the Commission should decide on the definitive allocations for fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk within the appropriations available in the budget and after taking into account limited transfers between their allocations, which encourage prioritising of distribution based on the nutritional needs, The power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the measures setting the conditions and the limits concerning these transfers. (9) In the interests of sound administration and budget management, Member States wishing to participate in the distribution of fruit and vegetables including bananas and/or milk and milk products should apply every year for the Union aid. With a view to simplifying the procedures and management, such applications should be made on the basis of separate aid requests. Following receipt of the requests of the Member States, the Commission should decide on the definitive allocations for fruit and vegetables including bananas and/or milk and milk products within the appropriations available in the budget and after taking into account limited transfers between their allocations, which encourage the prioritisation of distribution based on nutritional needs. The power to adopt certain acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of the measures setting the conditions and the limits concerning those transfers.

Amendment 9

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 9 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (9a) In order to simplify the administrative and organisational procedures for the schools taking part in the two programmes, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission, in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, in respect of the introduction of single procedures for schools’ applications to participate and for monitoring.

Justification

It is important to reduce red tape which deters schools from participating, especially so that schools seeking to participate in both programmes should not be obliged to fill out two separate sets of forms or be subject to a variety of monitoring procedures.

Amendments 10 and 57

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 10

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (10) The national strategy should be considered as the condition for the Member State's participation in the scheme and as a strategic multiannual document, setting out targets to be achieved by Member States and their priorities. Member States should be allowed to update them regularly, in particular in light of the evaluations and reassessment of priorities or targets. (10) The national strategy should be considered as a condition for a Member State’s participation in the scheme . Members States wishing to participate should be required to present a strategic document covering a period of six years , quantifying the existing problem and setting out targets to be achieved by them, methodologies in line with the problem presented and respective priorities. Member States should be allowed to update them regularly, in particular in light of the evaluations and reassessment of priorities or targets and of the success of their programmes . When Member States update their national strategy, they should be required to formally consult with stakeholders within their Member State.

Amendment 11

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 11 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (11a) In order to raise the profile of the scheme among those who benefit from it throughout the Union, it should be given a single identity and a Union logo, for compulsory use on posters relating to schools’ participation and in information materials made available to pupils under the accompanying educational measures. The Commission should therefore be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union in order to establish specific criteria in respect of presentation, content, size and the display of the shared identity and the Union logo.

Justification

Amendment in line with AGRI compromise 5.

Amendment 12

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 12

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (12) In order to ensure that the price of products provided to children under the scheme fully reflects the amount of the aid provided and that subsidised products are not deflected from their intended use, the power to adopt certain acts should be delegated to the Commission in respect of establishment of price monitoring under the scheme. (12) In order to ensure that the price of products provided to children under the scheme fully reflects the amount of the aid provided and that subsidised products are not deflected from their intended use, the power to adopt certain acts in accordance with Article 290 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union should be delegated to the Commission in respect of establishment of price monitoring under the scheme. Those acts should not discourage the Member States from sourcing local produce.

Justification

Amendment in line with AGRI compromise 5.

Amendment 13

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 12 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (12a) In order to verify the effectiveness of the programmes in the Member States, financing should be provided for initiatives to monitor and evaluate the results achieved, with particular attention being paid to medium-term changes in consumption.

Amendment 14

Proposal for a regulation

Recital 13 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (13a) This Regulation should not interfere with the division of regional or local competences within the Member States, including regional and local self-government.

Amendment 15

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 — title

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment Aid for the supply of fruit and vegetables, bananas and milk, supporting educational measures and related costs Aid for the supply of fruit and vegetables, bananas, milk and certain milk products, accompanying educational measures and related costs

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 1 — part 1.

Amendment 16

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 — paragraph 1 — point a

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (a) for the supply of fruit and vegetables, bananas, and milk; (a) for the supply of fruit and vegetables including bananas, milk and milk products as referred to in paragraph 2 ;

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 1 — part 1. This compromise supports the Commission proposal that Member States should still be allowed to distribute fresh products. The formulation ‘fruits and vegetables’ covers fresh and chilled products, ready to eat portions (such as peeled/sliced carrots in small bags) and also allows schools to squeeze the products in order to make fresh juices. It is up to Member States to decide and put in their strategy which (and how) fresh products should be distributed.

Amendment 17

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 — paragraph 1 — point b

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (b) for supporting educational measures; and (b) for accompanying educational measures; and

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 2 — part 1. Replacing ‘supporting’ by ‘accompanying’ aims at clarifying that educational measures supported by the EU under the school schemes are not the responsibility of school teachers but of external speakers like nutritionists, farmers etc.

Amendment 18

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 — paragraph 1 — point c

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (c) to cover certain related costs linked to logistics and distribution, equipment, publicity, monitoring and evaluation. (c) to cover related costs linked to logistics and distribution, equipment, communication and publicity, monitoring, evaluation and other activities directly linked to the implementation of the scheme .

Amendment 19

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 — paragraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 2. Member States wishing to participate in the aid scheme established in paragraph 1 (‘the school scheme’) may distribute either fruit and vegetables including bananas or milk falling within CN code 0401 , or both . 2. Member States wishing to participate in the aid scheme established in paragraph 1 (‘the school scheme’) may distribute: (a) fruit and vegetables including bananas and/or (b) milk , and milk products of the following categories (‘milk products’): (i) milk and cream falling within CN code 0401; (ii) buttermilk, curdled milk, yoghurt, kefir and other fermented or acidified milk and cream falling within CN code 0403, excluding those containing added flavouring or non-lactic materials falling within CN codes 0403 10 51 to 99 and 0403 90 71 to 99; (iii) cheese and curd falling within CN code 0406; (iv) lactose-free milk consisting of natural milk the composition of which has been changed with respect to its lactose content and not containing other non-lactic matter falling within CN code 0404 90 .

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 1 — part 2. The purpose of these schemes is to encourage the consumption of agricultural products and install healthy eating habits. Furthermore, we have concrete arguments to justify that the consumption of drinking milk is falling; cheese and natural yoghurts are second best alternative due to intolerances to lactose.

Amendment 20

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 — paragraph 3

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 3. As a condition for their participation in the school scheme Member States shall draw up, prior to their participation in the school scheme, and subsequently every 6 years, at national or regional level, a strategy for the implementation of the scheme. The strategy may be amended by a Member State, in particular in the light of monitoring and evaluation. The strategy shall at least identify the needs to be met, the ranking of the needs in terms of priorities, the target population, the results expected and the quantified targets to be attained in relation to the initial situation, and lay down the most appropriate instruments and actions for attaining those objectives. 3. As a condition for their participation in the school scheme Member States shall draw up, prior to their participation in the school scheme, and subsequently every six years, at national or regional level, a strategy for the implementation of the scheme. The strategy may be amended by a Member State or by a regional authority , in particular in the light of monitoring and evaluation and of the results achieved, making good use of the Union funds . The strategy shall , as a minimum, identify the needs to be met, the ranking of the needs in terms of priorities, the target population, the results expected and the quantified targets to be attained in relation to the initial situation, and shall lay down the most appropriate instruments and actions for attaining those objectives

Justification

Allowing greater scope for sub-national authorities to control the scheme in line with the constitutional distribution of competences within Member States. This amendment also reflects the opinion of the Committee of the Regions.

Amendment 21

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 — paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 4. Member States shall, in order to make the school scheme effective, also provide for the supporting educational measures, which may include measures and activities aimed at connecting children with agriculture and a wider variety of agricultural products, educating about related issues, such as healthy eating habits, combating food waste, local food chains or organic farming. 4. Member States shall, in order to make the school scheme effective, also provide for the accompanying educational measures, which may include measures and activities aimed at connecting children with agriculture , such as visits to farms, and the distribution of a wider variety of agricultural products, such as processed fruit and vegetables and other local, regional or national specialities, such as honey, olives and olive oil, and dried fruits. This will contribute to education about related issues, such as healthy eating habits, combating food waste, local food chains, organic farming and sustainable production .

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 2 — part 2. Taking into account that educational measures allow for the occasional distribution of other products, the compromise includes here amendments related to local, regional and national specialities such as honey, olives, olive oil and dried fruits.

Amendment 50

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 — paragraph 5

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 5. When drawing up their strategies, Member States shall determine a list of agricultural products, in addition to fruit and vegetables, bananas and milk, that may occasionally be included under the supporting educational measures. 5. When drawing up their strategies, Member States shall determine a list of agricultural products, in addition to fruit and vegetables, bananas, and milk and milk products , that may occasionally be included for distribution under the accompanying educational measures. With regard to processed fruit and vegetables, products containing added sugar, added fat, added salt, added sweeteners and/or artificial flavour enhancers (artificial food additive codes E620-E650) shall not be allowed.

Justification

Food additives numbered E620-E650 have harmful effects to consumers health if consumed in more significant quantities. Since the programme is aimed at promoting healthy food, allowing additives with dubious health effects would go against its goals.

Amendment 23

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 — paragraph 6

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 6. Member States shall choose the products to be featured in the distribution or to be included in supporting educational measures on the basis of objective criteria which may include the health and environmental considerations, seasonality, variety, or availability of local produce, giving priority to the extent practicable to products originating in the Union, particularly to local purchasing, organic products , short supply chains or environmental benefits. 6. Member States shall choose the products to be featured in the distribution or to be included in accompanying educational measures on the basis of objective criteria which shall include health, environmental and ethical considerations, seasonality, variety, or availability of local produce, giving priority to products originating in the Union, particularly to local or regional production and purchasing, short supply chains, organic products or environmental benefits and quality products as designated in Regulation (EU) No 1151/2012 . In the case of bananas, fair trade products from third countries may be given priority only when equivalent products originating in the Union are not available.

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 3.

Amendment 24

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 3

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 — paragraph 7

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 7. Member States shall, in order to promote healthy eating habits, ensure that their competent health authorities endorse the list of all the products supplied under the school scheme and decide on their nutritional aspects. 7. Member States shall, in order to promote healthy eating habits, including among children who are lactose-intolerant, ensure that their authorities responsible for nutrition and/or health agree to the list of the products supplied under the school scheme and decide on their nutritional aspects.

Amendment 25

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 1 — introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 1. The aid under the school scheme allocated for the distribution of products, the supporting educational measures and the related costs referred to in Article 23(1), and without prejudice to the provisions in paragraph 4, shall not exceed: 1. The aid under the school scheme allocated for the distribution of products, the accompanying educational measures and the related costs referred to in Article 23(1), and without prejudice to the provisions in paragraph 4 of this Article , shall not exceed:

Justification

Amendment in line with AGRI Compromise Amendment 2.

Amendment 26

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 1 — point b

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (b) for milk: EUR 80 million per school year. (b) for milk and milk products : EUR 100 million per school year.

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 4 — part 4. An increase of 20 million euros for the milk envelop is foreseen in order to allow the introduction of a minimum spending per child per year for all the Member States and in order to ensure that no Member State loses as a result of the introduction of the new criteria.

Amendment 27

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 1 — subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment The Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 227 determining the level of Union aid that may be paid towards the price of the portion of fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk distributed and laying down the definition of a portion. The Commission shall also be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 227 fixing a minimum amount and a maximum amount for the financing of supporting educational measures from Member States’ annual definitive allocations. deleted

Justification

Powers set out in Article 24(1a) instead for the sake of consistency.

Amendment 28

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 1 — point a

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (a) for fruit and vegetables including bananas: the objective criteria based on: (a) for fruit and vegetables including bananas: objective criteria based on: (i) the number of six- to ten-year old children as a proportion of the population, (i) the number of six- to ten-year old children as a proportion of the population of the Member State concerned , (ii) the degree of development of the regions within a Member State so to ensure higher aid to less developed regions within the meaning of Article 3(5) of this Regulation, the outermost regions listed in Article 349 of the Treaty or and the smaller Aegean Islands within the meaning Article 1(2) of Regulation (EU) No 229/2013, and (ii) the degree of development of the regions within a Member State so to ensure the provision of higher aid to less developed regions within the meaning of Article 3(5) of this Regulation, to the outermost regions listed in Article 349 TFEU and/or to the smaller Aegean Islands within the meaning Article 1(2) of Regulation (EU) No 229/2013, (iii) an additional increase of 5 % of the Union aid, to apply to the outermost regions, with a further 5 % increase if those regions import products from other outermost regions that are close by; and

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 4 — part 1. Objective criteria based on the number of 6-10 years as proportion of the population and the degree of development of the regions within a Member State should be kept as it appears to be a fair system corresponding to the needs of Member States.

Amendment 29

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 1 — point b

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (b) for milk: the historical use of funds under previous schemes for the supply of milk and milk products to children and objective criteria based on their proportion of six- to ten-year old children. (b) for milk and milk products, a combination of the following criteria, to apply during a transitional period of six years starting from the operation of the new programme : (i) the number of six- to ten-year-old children as a proportion of the population of the Member State concerned; (ii) the degree of development of the regions within a Member State, so as to ensure the provision of higher aid to less developed regions within the meaning of Article 3(5) of this Regulation, to the outermost regions listed in Article 349 TFEU and/or to the smaller Aegean Islands within the meaning of Article 1(2) of Regulation (EU) No 229/2013; (iii) the historical use of funds under previous schemes for the supply of milk and milk products to children, except for Croatia, for which a flat-rate payment system shall be introduced; in order to ensure a fair distribution of funds between Member States, this criterion shall be counterbalanced by the introduction of a minimum annual amount of Union aid per child in the age group referred in point (i) and defined on the basis of the average use of funds per child per Member State; (iv) an additional increase of 5 % of the Union aid, to apply to the outermost regions, with a further 5 % increase if those regions import products from other outermost regions that are close by;

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 4 — part 2. Taking into account the amendments tabled, in particular those deleting the historical criteria for milk, the objective of this compromise is to set a fairer allocation system without penalising Member States that used efficiently the school milk scheme up to now and received larger amounts of aid. This compromise is based upon calculations that DG AGRI produced at the request of the rapporteur.

Amendment 30

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 1 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment After the end of the transitional period referred to in point (b), milk and milk products shall be subject to the criteria laid down in points (i) and (ii) of point (a) .

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 4 — part 2.

Amendment 31

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 2 — subparagraph 2

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment The Commission shall assess at least every three years whether the indicative allocations for fruit and vegetables including bananas and for milk remain consistent with objective criteria referred to in this paragraph. The Commission shall assess at least every three years whether the indicative allocations for fruit and vegetables including bananas, and for milk and milk products remain consistent with the objective criteria referred to in this paragraph.

Justification

Amendment in line with AGRI Compromise Amendment 1.

Amendment 32

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 2 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 2a. Member States shall ensure that a minimum of 10 % and a maximum of 20 % of the funding allocated to them annually under the school scheme is earmarked for accompanying educational measures.

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 2 — part 4. Taking into account the fundamental importance of educational measures under the new scheme, and the amendments tabled, the compromise establishes a minimum of 10 % and a maximum of 20 % for the financing of educational measures.

Amendment 33

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 4

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 4. Without exceeding the global ceiling of EUR 230 million resulting from the amounts referred to under points (a) and (b) of paragraph 1, Member States may transfer up to 15 % of their indicative allocations for fruit and vegetables including bananas or for milk to the other sector under the conditions to be specified by the Commission by means of delegated acts adopted in accordance with Article 227. 4. Without exceeding the global ceiling of EUR 250 million resulting from the amounts referred to under points (a) and (b) of paragraph 1, Member States may transfer up to 10 % of their indicative allocations for fruit and vegetables including bananas or for milk and milk products to the other sector , and this transfer may be increased to 20 % in the case of outermost regions, under the conditions to be specified by the Commission by means of delegated acts adopted in accordance with Article 227.

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 4 — part 5. An increase of 20 million euros for the milk envelope is foreseen in order to allow the introduction of a minimum spending per child per year for all the Member States and in order to ensure that no Member State loses as a result of the introduction of the new criteria. On budgetary transfers, the compromise is a middle way between amendments tabled on this issue.

Amendment 34

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 5 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 5a. Union aid provided in accordance with paragraph 1 shall not be used to replace funding for any existing national school fruit or milk schemes providing fruit and vegetables, processed fruit and vegetables, bananas, milk and milk products or other school distribution schemes that include such products. Union aid shall be provided to supplement national financing.

Justification

Reintroducing Article 23, paragraph 6 from the CMO: EU funds should be genuinely additional to national financing, to avoid a deadweight effect.

Amendment 35

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 6 a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 6a. Member States may decide, consistently with their respective strategies, not to grant the aid requested where the amount of aid requested is less than a minimum amount fixed by the Member State concerned.

Amendment 36

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 7

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 7. The Union may also finance, pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, information, monitoring and evaluation measures relating to the school scheme, including raising public awareness of it , and related networking measures. 7. The Union may also finance, pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation (EU) No 1306/2013, information, communication and publicity, monitoring and evaluation measures relating to the school scheme, including raising public awareness of its objectives, especially targeting parents and trainers, and related networking measures and other activities directly linked to the implementation of the school scheme .

Amendment 37

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 4

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 23 a — paragraph 8

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 8. Member States participating in the school scheme shall publicise, at the places where the food is distributed, their involvement in the scheme and the fact that it is subsidised by the Union. Member States shall ensure the added value and the visibility of the Union school scheme in relation to the provision of other meals in educational establishments. 8. Member States participating in the school scheme shall publicise, at the places where the food is distributed, their involvement in the scheme and the fact that it is subsidised by the Union , by way of posters at school entrances. Member States may, in addition, use any suitable communication medium such as dedicated websites, informative graphic material, and information and awareness-raising campaigns. A common identifier and Union logo shall be used on all accompanying information material . Member States shall ensure the added value and the visibility of the Union school scheme in relation to the provision of other meals in educational establishments.

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 5 — part 1. Member States distributing the EU aid should use posters at school entrances in order to ensure a better visibility of the EU action as foreseen in the existing implementing regulations for the schemes. Taking into account the EU added value of the scheme, it is important to strengthen its visibility and public awareness, especially at a time when the disillusionment on Europe is increasing.

Amendment 38

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 5

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 24 — paragraph 1 — point c

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (c) the drawing-up of the national or regional strategies and on the supporting educational measures. (c) the drawing-up of the national or regional strategies and on the accompanying educational measures.

Justification

Amendment in line with AGRI Compromise Amendment 2.

Amendment 39

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 5

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 24 — paragraph 2 — introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 2. In order to ensure the efficient and targeted use of European funds, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 227 concerning: 2. In order to ensure the efficient and targeted use of Union funds, to ensure their fair distribution between the Member States and to limit the administrative workload for schools taking part in the scheme and for Member States, the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 227 concerning:

Amendment 40

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 5

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 24 — paragraph 2 — point –a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (-a) the maximum amount of Union aid per child and per distribution operation, by way of contribution to the cost of the fruit and vegetables, including bananas, and of milk and milk products distributed;

Justification

Delegated powers moved from Article 23a(1) for the sake of textual consistency. To ensure the sound management of funding for the scheme, it would be better to establish a maximum amount of aid per distribution operation rather than per portion, which would be somewhat difficult to monitor — see amendment to recital 6.

Amendment 41

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 5

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 24 — paragraph 2 — point a

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment a) the indicative allocation of aid between Member States for fruit and vegetables including bananas , and milk, and where appropriate its revision following the assessment referred to in the second subparagraph of Article 23a(2), the minimum amounts of Union aid for each Member State, the method for reallocating the aid allocation between Member States based on aid applications received, and the additional rules concerning how the criteria referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 23a(2) shall be taken into account for the allocation of the funds, a) the indicative allocation of aid between Member States for fruit and vegetables including bananas, milk and milk products , the minimum amount of annual Union aid spent per child as referred to in point (b) of Article 23a(2), the minimum amounts of Union aid for each Member State, the method for reallocating the aid allocation between Member States based on aid applications received, and the additional rules concerning how the criteria referred to in the first subparagraph of Article 23a(2) are to be taken into account for the allocation of the funds;

Amendment 42

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 5

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 24 — paragraph 2 — point b

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (b) the conditions concerning the transfers between the allocations for fruit and vegetables including bananas and milk; (b) the conditions concerning the transfers between the allocations for fruit and vegetables including bananas , milk and milk products ;

Justification

Amendment in line with AGRI CAM 1.

Amendment 43

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 5

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 24 — paragraph 2 — point c

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (c) the costs and/or measures that are eligible for Union aid and the possibility of fixing minimum amounts and maximum amounts for specific costs; (c) the costs and/or measures that are eligible for Union aid and the possibility of fixing maximum amounts for specific costs;

Amendment 44

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 5

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 24 — paragraph 2 — point c a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (ca) the introduction of single application procedures for educational establishments seeking to participate and single control procedures;

Justification

In addition to the technical criteria set out in the implementing act under Article 25(c), it would be useful to establish for each delegated act single application procedures for educational establishments seeking to participate and single control procedures, so as to lighten the administrative burden currently deterring prospective participants, in particular schools wishing to participate in both schemes.

Amendment 45

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 5

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 24 — paragraph 3 — introductory part

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment 3. In order to promote awareness of the school scheme the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 227, requiring Member States with a school scheme to publicise the subsidising role of the Union aid . 3. In order to promote and increase awareness of the school scheme and to heighten the visibility of Union aid , the Commission shall be empowered to adopt delegated acts in accordance with Article 227, requiring Member States with a school scheme to clearly publicise the fact that they are receiving Union support for implementing the scheme, as regards: (a) the specific criteria related to the use of posters and other information support; (b) the establishment of specific criteria regarding the presentation, composition, size and design of the common identifier and Union logo .

Justification

AGRI Compromise Amendment 5 — part 2. Delegated powers in line with amendment to Article 23a(8).

Amendment 46

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 5

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 25 — point a

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (a) the definitive allocation of aid for fruit and vegetables including bananas and/or milk between participating Member States within the limits set out in Article 23a(1), taking account of the transfers referred to in Article 23a(4); (a) the definitive allocation of aid for fruit and vegetables including bananas and/or milk and milk products between participating Member States within the limits set out in Article 23a(1), taking account of the transfers referred to in Article 23a(4);

Justification

Amendment in line with AGRI Compromise Amendment 1.

Amendment 47

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 5

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 25 — point f a (new)

Text proposed by the Commission Amendment (fa) methods for dealing with deficiencies occurring in the implementation process, in order to avoid blockages caused by excessively burdensome bureaucracy;

Amendment 48

Proposal for a regulation

Article 1 — paragraph 1 — point 7

Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013

Article 217 — subparagraph 1