Political Agreement on the "Health Check" of the PAC
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Mr. Michel BARNIER French Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
© European Communities
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The Council of Agriculture and Fisheries, held on 18 -20 November, reached political agreement on the "health check" of the common agricultural policy, on a programme to distribute fruit to schoolchildren, and on a recovery plan for cod stocks.
More information:
Council press release (pdf)
Europeana, a vast library at the click of a mouse
The prototype of Europeana, the European digital library, was launched in Brussels by the European Union on 20 November 2008. This means you can now admire on line the most famous paintings, have a good read and even download films that are in the public domain. What's more, this is a free service.
In its initial phase, the Europeana portal already provides access to over two million documents from various museums, libraries and audiovisual collections in the Member States. By offering a unique, multilingual point of entry, the site, which is hosted by the National Library of the Netherlands, allows Internet users to access a digital heritage preserved at different places throughout Europe. By 2010 the site should be fully operational, allowing over six million works to be consulted.
In complementing what is commercially on offer, e.g. by Google Books, the collection of the European site is particularly abundant, making available to everyone a whole range of cultural elements in every European language.
The inauguration of the prototype (EbS webcast) was preceded by a Council meeting where the Culture Ministers adopted conclusions on this project, which receives financial support from the Union.
More information:
Council press release (pdf)
Council webcast of press conference
Fruit and vegetables for Europe's schoolchildren
It is a well‑known fact that healthy eating habits are formed early in life. That is why the Council of the European Union decided on 19 November 2008 to spend EUR 90 million of the agricultural budget on free distribution of fruit and vegetables in schools.
Some 22 million children in the EU are overweight, more than five million of them obese, and the figure is rising inexorably. A better diet will help combat that problem and the serious health conditions to which it gives rise, such as cardio‑vascular disease, some kinds of cancer and type‑two diabetes. Children from underprivileged sections of the population are worst affected.
The scheme is mainly aimed at children aged six to ten, but may also include children in nurseries, pre‑school establishments and secondary schools. Lists will specify which products are covered by the scheme and which are excluded because of their excessive sugar and/or fat content. Member States may give precedence to local and/or seasonal produce and make allowance for environmental aspects.
Participation is voluntary. The scheme, jointly funded by the Community and Member States, is to be accompanied by nutritional education in addition to existing programmes. There is also provision for networks to share information and good practice.
For further information:
Council press release (pdf)
Broadcast of the Council press conference
Forthcoming events
Education, Youth and Culture Council meeting on 20 and 21 November 2008
ECOFIN (Budget) Council meeting on 21 November 2008