WRITTEN QUESTION E-2029/99 by Béatrice Patrie (PSE) to the Commission. Community subsidies for school milk.
C 225 E/42 Official Journal of the European Communities EN 8. 8. 2000 (2000/C 225 E/041) 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 childrenís 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 Commissionís plans, which are worrying both from a farming point of view and with regard to public health, raise a number of questions: The Agriculture Council of 14 and 15 June 1999 took the view that the consumption of milk should 1. 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? Just as the Treaty of Amsterdam has elevated public health policy to the rank of a horizontal 2. 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? 3. 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 225 E/042) 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. According to child nutrition specialists milk is an essential food for child development. The distribution of milk in schools is, moreover, still useful today in reaching certain sectors of the population who do not enjoy a balanced diet. This plan is disturbing in terms of both agriculture and public health. As the Agriculture Council on 14 and 15 June 1999 took the view that milk consumption should be encouraged because of its nutritional value, in particular for children and young people, why is the Commission taking a decision that runs counter to the Councilís opinion? At a time when public health has just been given the status of a horizontal Community policy under the Treaty of Amsterdam, how can the Commission risk endangering the health of European children who benefit from this nutritional supplement in schools? Can the Commission therefore deny the information that has been published and reassure the citizens of Europe?