School Fruit Scheme (amendment of Single CMO Regulation)#European Parliament legislative resolution of 18 November 2008 on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 1290/2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy and (EC) No 1234/2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation) in order to set up a School Fruit Scheme (COM(2008)0442 — C6-0315/2008 — 2008/0146(CNS))
Date: 2008-11-18
Institutions: Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, European Parliament
Subjects: EU initiative, amendment, drafting of EU law, educational institution, food hygiene, fruit, health education, nutrition, public awareness campaign, resolution of parliament








CE2010016EN.01010301.xml










22.1.2010   


EN


Official Journal of the European Union


CE 16/103





School Fruit Scheme (amendment of Single CMO Regulation) *
P6_TA(2008)0542
European Parliament legislative resolution of 18 November 2008 on the proposal for a Council regulation amending Regulations (EC) No 1290/2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy and (EC) No 1234/2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation) in order to set up a School Fruit Scheme (COM(2008)0442 — C6-0315/2008 — 2008/0146(CNS))
(2010/C 16 E/31)
(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,







—


having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council (COM(2008)0442),










—


having regard to Articles 36 and 37 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C6-0315/2008),










—


having regard to Rule 51 of its Rules of Procedure,










—


having regard to the report of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development (A6-0391/2008),




1.   Approves the Commission proposal as amended;
2.   Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty;
3.   Calls on the Council to notify Parliament if it intends to depart from the text approved by Parliament;
4.   Asks the Council to consult Parliament again if it intends to amend the Commission proposal substantially;
5.   Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission.






TEXT PROPOSED BY THE COMMISSION


AMENDMENTS





Amendment 1


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Recital 2











(2)


The objectives of the CAP set out in Article 33 of the Treaty include the stabilisation of markets, assuring the availability of supplies and ensuring that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices. The provision of Community aid under a School Fruit Scheme to supply fruit and 
vegetable
 and 
banana products
 to pupils in educational establishments would meet these objectives. Further, the Scheme should bring young consumers to appreciate fruit and vegetables and therefore 
should
 enhance future consumption thereby promoting earnings in agriculture, also an objective of the CAP. In addition, under Article 35(b) of the Treaty, provision may be made within the framework of the common agricultural policy for joint measures, such as a School Fruit Scheme, to promote consumption of certain products.












(2)


The objectives of the CAP set out in Article 33 of the Treaty include the stabilisation of markets, assuring the availability of supplies and ensuring that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices. The provision of Community aid under a School Fruit Scheme to supply fruit and 
vegetables
 and 
bananas of EU origin, and products therefrom which should be as fresh as possible, seasonal, and obtainable at low cost
, to pupils in educational establishments would meet these objectives. 
As required by the principle of subsidiarity, Member States should, when determining the target group, be accorded sufficient flexibility to enable them, in keeping with their needs, to supply school fruit to as wide a circle of users as possible
. Further, the Scheme should bring young consumers to appreciate fruit and vegetables and 
should
 therefore 
have a highly positive effect on public health and the fight against child poverty, enhance
 future consumption, 
create a multiplier effect by involving pupils, parents and teachers
, thereby 
having a markedly positive effect on public health and
 promoting earnings in agriculture, also an objective of the CAP. In addition, under Article 35(b) of the Treaty, provision may be made within the framework of the common agricultural policy for joint measures, such as a School Fruit Scheme, to promote consumption of certain products, 
to be combined with an additional health and nutrition education component, and to provide encouragement and stimulus to regional producers, in particular those of mountain regions
.









Amendment 2


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Recital 2a (new)





 










(2a)





The School Fruit Scheme should be clearly identified as an EU initiative aimed at combating obesity in young people and developing their taste for fruit and vegetables. It should also serve, with the aid of appropriate educational programmes, to make children aware of the changing seasons in the course of a year. To that end, education authorities should, as a matter of priority, ensure the distribution of seasonal fruit, giving preference to a varied range of fruits so as to enable children to discover different tastes.










Amendment 3


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Recital 3











(3)


Moreover, Article 152(1) of the Treaty requires that ‘a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies’. The clear health benefits of a School Fruit Scheme are aspects which should be integrated into the implementation of the CAP.












(3)


Moreover, Article 152(1) of the Treaty requires that ‘a high level of human health protection shall be ensured in the definition and implementation of all Community policies’. The clear health benefits of a School Fruit Scheme are aspects which should be integrated into the implementation of 
EU policies in general, and into
 the CAP 
in particular
.









Amendment 4


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Recital 3a (new)





 










(3a)





The European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming proposes the launch of a multi-annual EU-wide information and promotion campaign over several years to inform schools about the merits of organic farming and to increase consumer awareness and recognition of organic products, including recognition of the EU logo. The School Fruit Scheme should support these objectives, particularly with regard to organic fruit, and accompanying measures should include the provision of information about organic agriculture.










Amendment 5


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Recital 6











(6)


Provision should therefore be made for Community aid to 
co-finance
 the supplying to pupils in educational establishments certain healthy products of the 
fruit and vegetables, processed fruit and vegetables
 and bananas sectors and also for certain related costs of logistics, distribution, equipment, communication, monitoring and evaluation. The Commission should lay down the conditions of the Scheme.












(6)


Provision should therefore be made for Community aid to 
finance
 the supplying to pupils in educational establishments certain healthy products of the fruit and vegetables and bananas sectors and also for certain related costs of logistics, distribution, equipment, communication, monitoring and evaluation, 
as well as the accompanying measures required to ensure the effectiveness of the Scheme
. The Commission should lay down the conditions of the Scheme. 
Particular attention should be paid to the requirements of quality and sustainability of the products covered by the Scheme: they should meet the highest standards and should, preferably, be seasonal and produced locally where possible, or within the EU
.









Amendment 6


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Recital 7











(7)


In order to ensure orderly implementation of the School Fruit Scheme, Member States, at national or regional level, wishing to make use of it should draw up a prior strategy. They should also provide for accompanying measures required to make the scheme effective.












(7)


In order to ensure orderly implementation of the School Fruit Scheme, Member States, at national or regional level, wishing to make use of it should draw up a prior strategy, 
including in the area of education for the target groups
. They should also provide for accompanying 
educational and logistic
 measures required to make the scheme effective, 
and the Commission should provide guidelines for the implementation of this regulation. Member States may incorporate these measures in an educational manner into teaching packages on health and nutrition in schools
.









Amendment 7


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Recital 8











(8)


So as not to restrict the overall impact of similar national measures, Member States should also be 
permitted
 to grant additional national aid for the supply of products and related costs and accompanying measures and the Community School Fruit Scheme should be without prejudice to any separate national school fruit schemes which respect Community law. However, in order to ensure a practical effect for the Community Scheme, it 
should
 not replace current funding for existing 
national
 School Fruit Schemes or other school distribution schemes that include fruit.












(8)


So as not to restrict the overall impact of similar national measures, Member States should also be 
encouraged
 to grant additional national aid for the supply of products and related costs and accompanying measures and the Community School Fruit Scheme should be without prejudice to any separate national school fruit schemes which respect Community law. However, in order to ensure a practical effect for the Community Scheme, it 
must
 not replace current 
national
 funding for existing 
multi-annual
 School Fruit Schemes or other school distribution schemes that include fruit. 
Community financing should be supplementary in nature and is reserved for new schemes or the extension of existing schemes
.









Amendment 8


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Recital 9











(9)


In order to ensure sound budgetary management, a fixed ceiling of Community aid and maximum co-financing rates should be provided for and the Community financial contribution to the scheme should be added to the list of measures eligible for EAFG financing set out in Article 3(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 of 21 June 2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy.












(9)


In order to ensure sound budgetary management, a fixed ceiling of Community aid and maximum co-financing rates should be provided for and the Community financial contribution to the scheme should be added to the list of measures eligible for EAFG financing set out in Article 3(1) of Council Regulation (EC) No 1290/2005 of 21 June 2005 on the financing of the common agricultural policy. 
If one Member State or more does not take up Community financing, the funds may be transferred and used in other Member States
.









Amendment 9


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Recital 10











(10)


In order to allow time for the smooth implementation of the Scheme, it should apply from the 2009/10 school year. 
A report on it should be delivered
 after three years.












(10)


In order to allow time for the smooth implementation of the Scheme, it should apply from the 2009/10 school year. 
Member States should undertake an annual evaluation of the implementation and impact of the programme, and the Commission should submit a report to the European Parliament and the Council
 after three years. 
Since only a long-term programme will yield long-term benefits, it is necessary to ensure the monitoring and evaluation of the programme in order to measure its effectiveness and propose possible improvements
.









Amendment 10


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Recital 11











(11)


In order to make the scheme more effective, the Community should be able to finance information, monitoring and evaluation measures aimed at raising public awareness of, and networking measures related to, the School Fruit Scheme and its objectives without prejudice to its powers to co-finance, in the framework of Council Regulation (EC) No 3/2008 of 17 December 2007 on information provision and promotion measures for agricultural products on the internal market and in third countries, necessary accompanying measures to raise awareness about the beneficial health effects of fruit and vegetables consumption.












(11)


In order to make the scheme more effective, the Community should be able to finance information, monitoring and evaluation measures aimed at raising public awareness of, and networking measures related to, the School Fruit Scheme and its objectives without prejudice to its powers to co-finance, in the framework of Council Regulation (EC) No 3/2008 of 17 December 2007 on information provision and promotion measures for agricultural products on the internal market and in third countries, necessary accompanying measures to raise awareness about the beneficial health effects of fruit and vegetables consumption. 
It will be essential for the Commission to undertake a major EU-wide publicity campaign for the Scheme
.









Amendment 13


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Article 2 — point 1 — point a


Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007


Article 103ga — Paragraph 1











1.


Under conditions to be determined by the Commission, from the 2009/10 school year, Community aid shall be granted for supplying to pupils in educational establishments certain products of the fruit and vegetables, 
processed fruit and vegetables
 and bananas sectors 
to be determined
 by the Commission 
and may
 also be granted for certain related costs of logistics, distribution, equipment, communication, monitoring and evaluation.












1.


Under conditions to be determined by the Commission, from the 2009/10 school year, Community aid shall be granted for supplying to pupils in educational 
and pre-school
 establishments certain products of the fruit and vegetables and bananas sectors 
of EU origin, selected
 by the Commission, 
to be determined in more detail by the Member States
, and 
shall
 also be granted for certain related costs of logistics, distribution, equipment, communication, monitoring and evaluation, 
as well as for purposes of financing the accompanying measures needed to ensure the effectiveness of the Scheme
.








 




The Commission and the Member States shall select fruit and vegetables, which shall be as fresh as possible, seasonal, and obtainable at low cost, on the basis of health criteria, such as the fewest possible unnatural and unhealthy additives.






 




Local products should be used as a matter of priority in order to avoid unnecessary transport and the resulting environmental pollution.






 




Organic and local fruit and vegetables shall, if available, be given particular consideration.







Amendment 14


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Article 2 — point 1 — point a


Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007


Article 103ga — paragraph 2











2.


Member States, at national or regional level, wishing to participate in the scheme shall draw up a prior strategy for its implementation. They shall also provide 
for
 accompanying measures necessary to make the scheme effective.












2.


Member States, at national or regional level, wishing to participate in the scheme shall draw up a prior strategy for its implementation, 
taking account of the soil and climate conditions under which fruit and vegetables are produced. In this connection, Community preference of the products concerned shall be ensured. These Member States
 shall also provide 
the Community and national financial resources required for implementation and shall undertake the
 accompanying measures necessary to make the scheme effective, 
with priority for pre-school and primary-school children, to whom fruit shall be distributed free of charge on a daily basis
.








 




Under this strategy, Member States shall determine, inter alia:






 










—





the products to be distributed, having regard to the seasonal and local nature of the products;









 










—





the age groups of the beneficiary school population;









 










—





the educational establishments participating in the Scheme.









 




In accordance with objective criteria, Member States shall give priority to locally produced, traditional fruit and vegetables and support smaller farms in implementing the scheme.






 




Accompanying measures shall include the provision of health and dietary advice, information on the health benefits of fruit, appropriate to the age of the students, as well as information on the particular characteristics of organic farming.







Amendment 15


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Article 2 — point 1 — point a


Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007


Article 103ga — paragrpaph 3 — point a











(a)


exceed EUR 
90 million
 per school year,












(a)


exceed EUR 
500 million
 per school year,









Amendment 16


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Article 2 — point 1 –point a


Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007


Article 103 ga — paragrpaph 3 — point b











(b)


exceed 
50 % of
 the costs of supply and related costs referred to in paragraph 1, 
or 75 % of such costs in the regions eligible under the Convergence Objective
,












(b)


exceed the costs of supply and related costs 
and those of the accompanying measures, as
 referred to in paragraph 1,









Amendment 17


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Article 2 — point 1 — point a


Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007


Article 103 ga — paragrpaph 3 — point c











(c)


cover costs other than the costs of supply and related costs referred to in paragraph 1, and












(c)


cover costs other than the costs of supply and related costs 
and those of the accompanying measures required to ensure the effectiveness of the Scheme, as
 referred to in paragraph 1, and









Amendment 18


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Article 2 — point 1 — point a


Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007


Article 103ga — paragrpaph 3 — point d











(d)


be used to replace current funding for any existing national school fruit schemes or other school distribution schemes that include fruit.












(d)


be used to replace current 
public
 funding for any existing national school fruit schemes or other school distribution schemes that include fruit.









Amendment 19


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Article 2 — point 1 — point a


Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007


Article 103ga — paragraph 5











5.


The Community school fruit scheme shall be without prejudice to any separate national school fruit schemes which respect Community law.












5.


The Community school fruit scheme shall be without prejudice to any separate national school fruit schemes which respect Community law. 
Pilot projects, conducted on an experimental basis in a small number of educational establishments for limited periods of time, shall not be considered national schemes under paragraph 3(d)
.









Amendment 21


Proposal for a regulation — amending act


Article 2 — point 3


Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007


Article 184 — Point 6











(6)


before 31 August 2012 to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the School Fruit Scheme provided for in Article 103ga, accompanied, if necessary, by appropriate proposals. The report shall in particular address the issues of the extent to which the scheme has promoted the establishment of well functioning School Fruit Schemes in Member States and the impact of the Scheme on the improvement of children's eating habits.












(6)


before 31 August 2012 to the European Parliament and the Council on the application of the School Fruit Scheme provided for in Article 103ga, accompanied, if necessary, by appropriate proposals. The report shall in particular address the issues of:








 










—




the extent to which the scheme has promoted the establishment of well functioning School Fruit Schemes in Member States and the impact of the Scheme on the improvement of children's eating habits;








 










—





the extent to which opting for national cofinancing, by means of a parental contribution, has or has not influenced the outreach and effectiveness of the scheme;









 










—





the relevance and impact of national accompanying measures, in particular the way in which the School Fruit Scheme and accompanying information on a healthy diet are incorporated into the national curriculum;