Magor Imre Csibi (ALDE), in writing. – (RO) The proposal for a regulation concerning fruit for children at school is part of a series of initiatives launched by the Commission with the main aim of combating obesity and promoting a healthy diet.

The budget of EUR 90 million proposed by the Commission would have proved to be insufficient to achieve the scheme’s objective. The ALDE Group’s initiative to increase Community funding to EUR 360 million is an important step in the right direction. Member States in turn will make their contribution to give a final budget of EUR 720 million. I firmly believe that only with such a budget will the scheme prove to be effective. We will therefore be able to offer an acceptable number of portions of fruit per week to pupils aged between 6 and 10.

At the same time, I would encourage educational institutions to introduce nutrition lessons as part of the curriculum to explain the theory behind the role of a healthy diet. It is only by making a joint, coordinated effort that we will manage to change the eating habits of future generations.