Ministeriet for Fødevarer, Landbrug og Fiskeri Direktoratet for FødevareErhverv 29.02.2008/EUK Contribution from the Danish Ministry of Food, Fisheries and Agriculture on the Commission hearing 1 ; Towards a possible European school fruit scheme Consultation document for impact assessment General Danish positions During the reform of the common market organisation for fruit and vegetables Denmark has been a strong advocate for an EU School Fruit Scheme. The existing school milk scheme has proven to be very effective in increasing the daily milk consumption amongst school children and we believe that a similar scheme can be constructed for school fruit. It is our belief that such a scheme will be beneficial in a number of ways: Promotes a healthy lifestyle and thereby prevent diseases: The health aspect is a very important reason why we must establish a school fruit scheme on a European level. Obesity is increasing throughout Europe. High obesity levels entail a larger risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, hypertension and certain types of cancer. These diseases are among the greatest threats to public health in the European Union, and they are placing a very heavy burden on the EU economy, as obesity now is responsible for a large part of total health expenditure in EU member states. A School Fruit Scheme would be a highly effective way of reversing the adverse health effects of overweight and poor eating habits. Despite cultural differences both on national and regional levels, schools can reach virtually all children and adolescents, and are a critical part of the social environment that shape young peoples behaviours. Consequently an EU-wide School Fruit Scheme would be an ideal and effective starting point in order to promote healthy eating habits ad thereby fight obesity in the EU. Strengthens the sector: A School Fruit Scheme will benefit the fruit and vegetable sector, both in the long and in the short term. The short term benefit is obvious: If a school fruit scheme is introduced, more fruit will be needed and consumption will grow. Exposing children and adolescents to fruit from an early age should also ensure, that they will continue to have a high intake of fruit and vegetables later in life. So even in the long term a school fruit scheme would be beneficial for the sector. Last but not least, children are very often picky eaters. If they are to be induced to eat fruit on a daily basis, it has to appeal to them. So the fruit must be of a high quality, easy to eat and visually pleasing. These demands may very well induce the sector to develop new innovative food chains and source high quality, nutritious and seasonal products. Obviously, this will not only appeal to children but also to 1 with reservations for possible changes
Direktoratet for FødevareErhverv 2 adults. So, besides the health effects, a school fruit scheme might also help creating new commercial opportunities for the sector. Brings the Common Agricultural Policy closer to European citizens: The CAP is very distant to many Europeans. Issues such as the single payment scheme or the restructuring of sugar quotas are unknown to the average European. A School Fruit Scheme can play a substantial role in bringing EU agriculture policy closer to its citizens by addressing issues that are considered real and immediate. Specific Danish positions When analysing the different proposed options, the Danish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries has used the following two criteria: The School Fruit Scheme as frame for national projects. In order to realise the benefits listed above school programmes must not be dependent on shortterm financing structures but should function as a framework for national school fruit projects. For instance, it is highly unlikely that the sector will engage in developing the needed new fruit supplier chains, unless they are convinced that they will benefit from the activities. It is also doubtful, whether short, temporary schemes will have the desired effects on dietary habits and obesity. It should be emphasised that this does not entail a scheme where the Community funds free fruit for all European children of school age. Brief, intense introductory periods for interested schools who has not already introduced a fruit scheme on their own, has already shown to be highly effective, as seen in the Irish Food Dude projects, as well as in the recently completed Danish pilot schemes. The crucial point is that these schemes are repeated at regular intervals, in order to ensure continuity (for instance for each incoming year), to keep the focus on school fruit and thereby communicating to schools and citizens, the advantages of introducing such schemes. After (or in between) these intense periods, the cost of the schemes could be divided between Member States, parents and the Community not unlike the model used in the existing school milk scheme. The School Fruit Scheme must be flexible. A number of national School Fruit and Vegetable programmes are already operating in a number of Member States. The expansion of these programmes and implementation similar programmes require a supportive policy on the EU-level. Such a policy could or indeed should - be based on several Member States experiences with best practice. It must be stressed however, that Europe is very diverse with regard to school systems, canteen programmes, availability of fruit, current fruit and milk schemes, etc. It is therefore vital that an EU-wide programme is flexible enough to be adapted to local conditions in each Member State.
Direktoratet for FødevareErhverv 3 Commission questions (underlying questions in italic): (1) Which is the option preferred? A school fruit scheme can take many forms. The consultation paper operates with four different models: 1. Status Quo no new measures on the EU level 2. Networking supporting national initiatives by establishing e-based networks, organising conferences, etc. 3. Supporting initiatives Granting Community support for specific projects through the existing promotion legislation (the budget will be enlarged accordingly). 4. Driving initiatives A single EU framework using the same mechanisms as the School Milk Programme. When applying the described two criteria to the different options Denmark finds a combination of option 4 and option 2 to be the best way to ensure effectiveness of the initiative of introducing an EU-school fruit scheme: Option 2: A lot can be said in favour of this option. There is already a wide range of different programmes operating in the MS. Facilitating an exchange of experiences would definitely be a step in the right direction. It would enable Member States, where School Fruit Programmes are still at an early stage, to draw on the experience of others. This would be highly relevant if option 4 where to be implemented on MS level. Option 4: This is the ideal and effective option which may lead to significant increase in fruit consumption among children. It reflects the positive results seen in the School Milk Scheme with simple and flexible measures: It provides the schools with adequate funds, but leaves them a lot of room for adaptations to local conditions. It provides permanent funding, which is crucial when considering the current public health threat of obesity and associated chronic diseases. Permanent funding would also encourage local initiatives even in relatively less favoured regions of the EU to implement schemes that improve the quality of children's diets by providing a simple financing framework. Finally, it provides the sector with incentives to establish new fruit/food chains, to try out new varieties, etc. Option 1: Even though there are measures in the reformed CMO that targets school children they are inadequate, when it comes to lasting impacts on children s eating habits. Option 3: As stated above, in order for a school fruit scheme to be effective it needs to be permanent. This option is temporary by definition. What in your experience are the necessary conditions for a successful initiative able to promote a sustainable increase in the consumption of fruit and vegetables by young people and to have a lasting influence on their behaviour? ---
Direktoratet for FødevareErhverv 4 What would be good criteria for evaluating the cost-effectiveness of an initiative? The benefits of a School Fruit Scheme are very difficult to measure in a meaningful way. Results such as increased innovation in the sector or a decrease in cardiovascular diseases will only be apparent over time, and it will be hard to attribute them specifically to a School Fruit Scheme. What could be the value added of an EU initiative? There are various benefits of a school fruit scheme. Many of them are mentioned above. The two most important overall reasons are: A more innovative and competitive fruit and vegetable sector Improvement of public health There is no doubt that both of these goals would be achieved more effectively through an EU-wide approach. If the EU provides funding as well as a forum for sharing practical experience, there is no doubt that School Fruit Schemes will have a much deeper impact than if such schemes are only realised in MS. It should also be noted, that it is mandatory to integrate health aspects in all Community Policies (art.152 and 153 of the treaty). So far this has not been the most prominent feature of the CAP. Making a School Fruit Scheme a part of the Fruit and Vegetable CMO would remedy this deficiency.
Direktoratet for FødevareErhverv 5 (2) How could it be improved? Are there factors not taken into account or elements of uncertainty that could significantly influence the impact of the options under consideration? If so, what are they? What would be there influence? --- Should the ISG seek to incorporate into its analysis an assessment of any specific impacts other than those envisaged in chapter 2? In our opinion the Inter-Service Group has been very thorough and has covered all relevant impacts. Do you have any examples of best practice that could improve the options? Some conclusions drawn from the school milk scheme may be useful. The Danish initiatives regarding school fruit are under evaluation and will be published this spring. What conditions (compulsory and/or optional should be introduced and/or developed for the Supporting Initiatives and Driving Initiatives options? Since designing and running the different programmes will most likely be left to the member states it is very important to have effective instruments for monitoring and evaluating the use of Community funds. This will be the only way to ensure transparency. (3) Is there any other option that you would consider adequate to reach the stated objectives? No, the proposed combination of option 4 and 2 are found adequate.
Direktoratet for FødevareErhverv 6 Long term increase of fruit and vegetables consumption among school children Decrease in obesity of school children and health improvement Increased fruit and vegetables consumption in poorer regions and by deprived persons Appropriate level of initiative and administration; European value added Appropriate disbursement of public funds (both national and EU) Status Quo Networking Supporting Initiatives Driving Initiatives (1) (3) (3) (5) (1) (3) (3) (4) (1) (3) (3) (5) (2) (3) (4) (5) (2) (4) (3) (5) Positive impact on the environment (2) (2) (3) (4) Bringing Europe closer to its citizens (2) (4) (4) (5)