WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2443/97 by Graham WATSON to the Commission. EU Milk Availability Scheme
Date: 1997-07-16
Institutions: European Parliament, WATSON
Subjects: EU programme, United Kingdom, child, delivery, eating habits, educational institution, free service, milk, price increase, supply

17. 3. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 82/81

(98/C 82/133)

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(cid:146)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(cid:146)s diet? Would the Commission agree that those
affected most by the withdrawal of (cid:145)discretionary elements(cid:146) 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(cid:146)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.

(98/C 82/134)

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 (1). 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(cid:146)s other policies.

(1)  OJ L 183, 7.7.1983.