EU can help bring pupils closer to fruit
November 18, 2008 12:00 AM
A new school fruit scheme proposed by the European Union can help to make sure that Scottish pupils are getting their daily recommended allowance of fruit and vegetables and help fight child obesity - says Scottish Liberal Democrat MEP Elspeth Attwooll.
The report on the scheme was initiated by Danish Liberal MEP Niels Busk, and outlines how EU level action and funding can enhance the different national programmes already in place in the member states. It was overwhelmingly backed by the European Parliament in Strasbourg with 586 votes in favour, 47 against, and 41 abstentions.
It calls for the EU to provide enough funding for every school pupil aged 6 - 10 to receive the equivalent of one piece of fruit every day.
Elspeth said:
"This is an excellent report, and I'm delighted to see it receive such overwhelming backing.
We must do all we can to bring fruit and vegetables into young people's lives. If we can start with 'an apple a day' for every pupil and fully engage teachers and parents we can then establish good habits from an early age. This would not only help tackle obesity but have wider positive effects on quality of life.
Overall it is very positive proposal, which would add tremendous value to existing national programmes across the EU."
END
The World Health Organisation recommends that we consume over 400g of fruit and veg a day. Research shows that children's intake falls below this.
There are an estimated 22 million overweight children in the EU, 5 million of whom are considered obese. Scotland's health problems are well documented, with the country consistently faring poorly in comparison to other EU states.
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