“I have been appointed rapporteur for the recommendation on the amendments to the EU programme for the distribution of fruit, vegetables and milk in schools. During the meeting of the Committee on Regional Development, the first guidelines of the report were presented, and I announced my intention to strengthen European agricultural and food policies by reconnecting with territories and citizens, not only with markets.
This proposal to amend the regulation on school schemes and agricultural sectoral interventions is not an isolated technical adjustment, but a political choice that will have an impact on territorial cohesion, public health, food security and the resilience of our agricultural systems.
As rapporteur, we are working to reinforce a principle that is central to us: European agricultural and food policies must once again speak to territories and citizens, not only to markets.
This programme is one of the most concrete tools for health prevention and for reducing territorial inequalities. Data on childhood obesity clearly show that the least developed and most fragile regions pay the highest price. This is why we will insist that the programme should not be merely a distribution measure, but a genuine pathway of food education, linked to sustainability, local biodiversity and the fight against waste. Schools can and must become hubs of ecological literacy for local communities.
A second pillar is the creation of a European plant-protein sector. Our idea is to direct this sector towards marginal rural areas and less developed regions, supporting small farms, short supply chains and local employment. Regarding hemp, we wanted to clarify and strengthen its role as a strategic crop for the European bioeconomy, useful for soil regeneration and for the reconversion of abandoned industrial areas, especially in less developed regions. Here too, the goal is to create local supply chains and sustainable jobs.
As for sectoral interventions and market rules, our approach is to ensure transparency for consumers and security of supply, especially in times of crisis.
In conclusion, this amendment to the regulation represents an important step towards aligning European agricultural policies more closely with the needs of territories. Within the REGI Committee’s opinion, we will work to ensure that the proposed measures strengthen territorial cohesion, reduce regional disparities and support more resilient and sustainable agricultural systems.
The ultimate goal is to enhance the role of local and regional authorities, ensure a concrete impact of the school programme in terms of health and food education, and promote supply chains capable of creating value and employment, particularly in rural and less developed areas.
By doing so, we will help create a regulatory framework with a long-term vision, strengthening supply security and ensuring that this reform delivers real benefits for citizens and local communities.”
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