WRITTEN QUESTION E-2029/99 by Béatrice Patrie (PSE) to the Commission. Community subsidies for school milk.
Date: 1999-11-03
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Community budget, Treaty of Amsterdam, common agricultural policy, drinking milk, economic support, educational institution, health policy, nutrition

C 170 E/140

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

20.6.2000

Answer given by Mr Byrne on behalf of the Commission

(20 December 1999)

The Commission can confirm that the Community is not directly funding any research projects into the
In addition, there are no
effects on human health of the handling of organophosphate sheep dips.
Community plans to ban such dips or to lay down safety measures that must be employed in addition to
those already provided by the manufacturers and by individual Member State national legislation.

There is no current project in agriculture research within the agro-industrial research (AIR) and fisheries,
agriculture and agro-industrial research (FAIR) programmes on this matter.

However, a research proposal on this theme could be submitted to key action 5 of the specific programme
(cid:145)Quality of life and management of living resources(cid:146) of the 5th framework programme for research and
technological development (RTD). One of the priorities of the above key action is (cid:145)Health and welfare of
animals used in farm livestock production(cid:146). Research activities on improved methods for evaluating the
impact of veterinary products on public and animal health could be addressed to this key action.

(2000/C 170 E/169)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2029/99

by BØatrice Patrie (PSE) to the Commission

(3 November 1999)

Subject: Community subsidies for school milk

The press and various associations are currently drawing attention to the present and planned further
reductions in Community subsidies for school milk following a decision by the Commission.

Child nutrition experts and specialists argue that milk is essential for children(cid:146)s growth and that school
milk schemes make it possible to reach sections of the population which, even today, do not have a
sufficiently rich or balanced diet.

The Commission(cid:146)s plans, which are worrying both from a farming point of view and with regard to public
health, raise a number of questions:

1. The Agriculture Council of 14 and 15 June 1999 took the view that the consumption of milk should
be encouraged because of its high nutritional value, particularly for children and young people.

Why, then, has the Commission gone against the general opinion of the Member States and taken a
decision that could jeopardise school milk schemes?

2.

3.

Just as the Treaty of Amsterdam has elevated public health policy to the rank of a horizontal
Community policy, how can the Commission, in the name of narrow budgetary considerations, risk
endangering the health of European children who benefit from the nourishment that school milk
provides?

From a financial perspective, how can the consumption of milk be encouraged in a cost-effective way,
taking account of the overall availability of budgetary resources? Could the subsidies concerned
conceivably be transferred from the CAP budget to the health budget so that school milk schemes
may continue with due regard for the budgetary constraints?

(2000/C 170 E/170)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2054/99

by GØrard Caudron (PSE) to the Commission

(3 November 1999)

Subject: Abolition of European aid payments for the distribution of milk in schools

Reports are widespread of the Commission decision reducing, then abolishing, Community subsidies for
the distribution of milk in schools.