The Commission is proposing to adopt a Europe-wide scheme for distributing free fruit and vegetables to schools (COM(2008)0442). The purchasing and distribution of these products will be financed from EU funds at a cost of EUR 90 million per year. The Member States are also being asked to prepare national strategies and educational initiatives. The programme is to be adopted by the Council in 2009.

When is the decision implementing the regulation expected to be taken and how will the Commission ensure that the Member States' relevant bodies and citizens are informed in a proper and timely manner?

The Commission has announced that EUR 1.3 million will be allocated to set up a network of different national bodies to encourage reliable and efficient exchanges of best practice. What activities does this concern and what bodies will be responsible for carrying them out?