WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1889/98 by Frederik WILLOCKX , Philippe DE COENE to the Commission. European subsidization of school milk and waste prevention
Date: 1998-06-16
Institutions: DE COENE, European Parliament
Subjects: EU aid, educational institution, glass, packaging product, sterilised milk, whole milk

C 13/112

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

18.1.1999

(1999/C 13/158)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1889/98

by Frederik Willockx (PSE) and Philippe De Coene (PSE) to the Commission

Subject: European subsidization of school milk and waste prevention

(16 June 1998)

Under Regulation No 1842/83 (1) the provision of milk for schoolchildren is subsidized. The subsidies form a
welcome incentive.

However, a study of the regulation referred to above reveals that sterilized full-cream milk is not subsidized. This
type of milk is obtainable in glass bottles, unlike pasteurized and UHT full-cream milk, almost all of which is
packaged in cardboard containers and which is subsidized.

This lack of subsidization discourages many schools from changing to the use of glass bottles. An opportunity to
prevent waste and to combat the throw-away mentality is thus being missed.

Why is sterilized full-cream milk excluded from Community support?

Does the Commission not believe that, under a waste prevention policy, such milk should be added to the list of
the dairy products which enjoy Community support when delivered to schools?

(1) OJ L 183, 7.7.1983, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Fischler on behalf of the Commission

(15 July 1998)

The Commission wishes to stress that sterilised whole milk was never included in the list of milk products eligible
for Community aid under the school milk programme. The Community scheme was introduced in 1977, and
Council Regulation (EEC) 1842/83 of 30 June 1983 laying down general rules for the supply of milk and certain
milk products at reduced prices to schoolchildren merely confirmed the list of eligible products which applied
before its entry into force.

The Commission does not have any information which could explain why it was decided to exclude sterilised
whole milk in 1977. However, it should be stressed that sterilised milk(cid:146)s market share is marginal (barely 5 %)
and continues to shrink. This trend is no doubt connected with this type of milk(cid:146)s organoleptic characteristics,
which consumers like less than those of other drinking milks available. Consequently, it is hard to tell whether
including sterilised whole milk in the school milk programme would satisfy genuine demand on the part of
schoolchildren.

It should also be stressed that pasteurised milk is usually supplied in glass bottles and that even ultra heat treated
(UHT) milk is increasingly sold in reusable containers. The Commission therefore considers it incorrect to claim
that the school milk programme encourages, or even forces, schools to provide milk in non-returnable containers.

The Commission would be grateful to receive a copy of any further information the Honourable Member may
have on non-availability, in schools, of milk in reusable containers.

(1999/C 13/159)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1893/98

by Johanna Boogerd-Quaak (ELDR) to the Commission

(9 June 1998)

Subject: Integrated pollution control and access to information concerning poison gas grenades off the Flemish

coast

A large quantity of poison gas grenades (between 3 500 and 12 000 tonnes) containing mustard gas, phosgene and
cyanic acid which Belgium dumped off the coast of Flanders after the First World War could give rise to serious
health risks for the Dutch and Belgian population of the region. Regional and local emergency plans are
insufficiently geared to dealing with a poison gas disaster.