19.12.2009 Official Journal of the European Union L 338/99 COMMISSION DECISION of 18 December 2009 establishing the group of experts for technical advice on the School Fruit Scheme (2009/986/EU) THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, Whereas: (1) To ensure the successful implementation of the School Fruit Scheme, established by Council Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007 of 22 October 2007 establishing a common organisation of agricultural markets and on specific provisions for certain agricultural products (Single CMO Regulation) (') as amended by Council Regulation (EC) No 13/2009 (3), hereinafter referred to as ‘School Fruit Scheme’, the Commission should be able to receive technical expert advice from a forum of experts with expertise in nutrition, epidemiology, public health and health promotion, behavioural and social sciences, evaluation. (2) It is therefore necessary to set up a group of independent experts and to define its tasks and its structure. (3)  The expert group should provide the Commission with expert input in a wide range of fields related to the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the School Fruit Scheme. The expert group should also provide the Commission with assistance as regards the elaboration of the report referred to in Article 184(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007. (4)  The members of the expert group should be appointed in a personal capacity and deliver independent advice to the Commission. Members of the expert group should have complementary backgrounds and combine both scientific and practical knowledge. The composition of the expert group should reflect an adequate geographical balance within the European Union. (5)  The Commission’s representative in the expert group should be entitled to invite experts or observers with experience in a specific field to participate in the group’s work. (6)  Rules on disclosure of information by members of the expert group should be provided for, without prejudice to the Commission’s rules on security as set out in the Annex to Commission Decision 2001/844/EC, ECSC, Euratom (3). () O] L 299, 16.11.2007, p. 1. () OJ L 5, 9.1.2009, p. 1. () O] L 317, 3.12.2001, p. 1. (7)  Personal data relating to members of the expert group should be processed in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 45/2001 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 18 December 2000 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data by the Community institutions and bodies and on the free movement of such data (%), HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1 The group of experts for technical advice on the School Fruit Scheme The group of experts for technical advice on the School Fruit Scheme, hereinafter referred to as ‘the expert group’, is hereby set up. Article 2 Tasks The expert group’s task shall be to assist the Commission: (@) with the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the School Fruit Scheme established by Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007, hereinafter referred to as ‘School Fruit Scheme’, by providing it with expert advice; (b) with the elaboration of the report referred to in Article 184(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1234/2007. Article 3 Consultation 1.  The Commission may consult the expert group on any matter relating to the application of the School Fruit Scheme. 2. The Chairperson of the expert group may advise the Commission that it is desirable to consult it on a specific question. Article 4 Membership — Appointment 1. The expert group shall be composed of ten members. Its composition shall reflect an adequate geographical balance within the European Union. () OJ L 8, 12.1.2001, p. 1.