SNP
Member of the European Parliament Mr Alyn Smith has today hailed
the adoption by the European Parliament's Agriculture committee of a package of
EU support for the provision of healthy local fruit in schools as a boost for
Scots kids, Scotland's
public health and Scotland's
farmers.

The
report, drafted by Danish MEP Neils Busk, approved plans to build on existing
EU supported school milk schemes to create new support measures for school
fruit. The fruit should be sourced as
locally as possible, thereby helping local farming as well. The budget approved for the scheme was 180
million euro annually, which should contribute towards the aim of each primary
school child across the EU eating at least one piece of fruit each day. Smith has written to Scottish Schools
Minister Maureen Watt MSP to make her aware of the plans and ensure Scotland's kids
benefit.

Smith
said:

"This
is just the sort of solid, sensible, workable report I wish the Parliament
produced more often, and I'm delighted to support it. Scottish and European kids will benefit from
this package, and it also meets a key SNP objective of using procurement policy
to encourage local, Scottish, production into the bargain.

"It
is clear that the key to developing healthy eating habits is to start them
young, the Finns in particular have been leading European policy on public
health and I'm pleased that this package will fit hand in glove with the SNP
government's plans to see healthy school meals provided to kids.

"I
have no doubt Maureen will jump at the chance to ensure Scotland is quick off
the mark to get into this scheme, and given it will be in place by the next
school year we can get things moving quickly.

"All
in all good news for Scotland's
kids, Scotland's diet and Scotland's
farmers."