European fresh produce association Freshfel has outlined details of a letter that it has sent to agriculture and rural development commissioner Dacian Ciolos, outlining concerns the group has with the running of the School Fruit Scheme.
According to Freshfel, there are a number of 'pending duties' for the European Commission to address in order to secure the successful implementation of the scheme, with perceived worries over the efficiency and long-term viability of the initiative.
'After more than one year of implementation, too many important elements of the scheme remain in progress and the sector with all its expertise remains with limited involvement in the management of the scheme,' said Ramon Rey, president of Freshfel Europe. 'Failing to address these weaknesses soon, the long-term good functioning of the scheme would be at stake.
'It is about time for the Commission to do its homework,' he added. 'It represents a special opportunity that cannot be missed.'
Since the introduction of the scheme, Freshfel has called on the Commission to provide clear and comparative overview of the main elements of each programme implemented at member state levels, with the association arguing that such a snapshot could help share best practices and assist nations in improving their programme.
Freshfel has also expressed concerns that the EC has not yet appointed a group of experts, despite the principal of such a group being in place, with the association arguing that such a group could provide unique technical insights into monitoring and evaluating the programme.
'We cannot stress enough the importance of this group to provide the Commission with extra input, particularly regarding the implementation, the inclusion of products, and the monitoring and evaluation of the scheme,' said Freshfel general delegate Philippe Binard. 'Although the programme has started, these expert groups are of the uttermost importance to secure a successful School Fruit Scheme in the long term.
Additionally, Freshfel also expressed outstanding concerns regarding an annual budget of €1.3m made available by the Council to enhance communication and networking at EU level – resources that Freshfel says the Commission has 'inexplicably' not yet used.
Consequently, a dedicated website to promote the scheme and highlight health benefits of eating fresh produce has not been launched, with few additional activities carried out by the Commission.
'At Freshfel we advocate that this website should not only contain details of national strategies and programmes implemented across Europe, but it should also provide information of fruit and vegetables and scientific health findings as well as material such as communication kits for schools, games, recipes etc,' noted Raquel Izquierdo de Santiago, Freshfel's food policy advisor. 'It can be a catalyst for enhancing consumption and a great opportunity to demonstrate that eating fruit and vegetables is not only healthy and tasty, but also easy as well as a fun and enjoyable experience.'
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