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DRAFT OPINION (COM(2025)0553 – C100163/2025 – 2025/0237(COD))

On the proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 as regards the school fruit, vegetables and milk scheme (‘EU school scheme’), sectoral interventions, the creation of a protein sector, requirements for hemp, the possibility for marketing standards for cheese, protein crops and meat, application of additional import duties, rules on the availability of supplies in time of emergencies and severe crisis and securities

REGI-PA-782254

Committee on Regional Development · Rapporteur: Valentina Palmisano

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The Committee on Regional Development's draft opinion responds to the Commission's proposal to amend Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 on the common organisation of agricultural markets. It proposes amendments to make the EU school scheme a food education programme, add plant milk, and prioritise local, sustainable and short-supply-chain products. It seeks to create a protein crop sector prioritising small farms in less developed regions, islands and outermost regions, and to promote hemp for soil remediation and eco-friendly construction. It also proposes rules for crisis stock management based on rotation, donating expiring products to charities and food banks, and involving local and regional authorities in national plans.

Committee position. The Committee on Regional Development proposes amendments to the Commission proposal, focusing on consolidating the school scheme as a food education programme, creating a protein crop sector prioritising small farms in disadvantaged regions, promoting hemp for soil remediation and construction, and ensuring rotational crisis stock management with donations to food banks.

Key points

  1. The rapporteur welcomes the Commission proposal as a chance to link agricultural policy with territorial cohesion and youth well-being.
  2. The proposal modernises Regulation (EU) No 1308/2013 by improving the EU school scheme, creating a protein crop sector, harmonising hemp rules and setting food security standards.
  3. Amendments make the school scheme a food education programme based on the Mediterranean diet, seasonality and short supply chains, to reduce health inequalities.
  4. Plant milk is added as a product for the school scheme, and Member States must prioritise products with reduced climate footprint, organic standards and local sourcing.
  5. A distinct protein crop sector is created, with mandatory recognition of producer organisations and priority for small farms in less developed regions, islands and outermost regions.
  6. Hemp rules are amended to include all parts of the plant and to support hemp for soil remediation, eco-friendly construction and local processing in declining rural areas.
  7. Member States must consult local and regional authorities and small farmers' organisations when developing and revising their national strategic plans.
  8. Crisis stock management must use a rotational system, donating products nearing expiry to charities and food banks for local distribution.
  9. Member States must notify summaries of food security plans every three years, including data on stocks distributed to the community.
  10. Union support for school scheme distribution is granted only to Member States that demonstrate effective performance of awareness-raising and educational interventions.
  11. The amendments aim to support generational renewal by helping young farmers in disadvantaged regions and to promote healthy diets through school-local farm links.

Who is affected

  • Schoolchildren, who would receive plant milk and food education under the scheme.
  • Small farms in less developed regions, islands and outermost regions, which would be prioritised for protein crop investments.
  • Local and regional authorities, which must be consulted on national strategic plans and involved in crisis stock logistics.
  • Charities and food banks, which would receive products nearing expiry for local distribution.
  • Hemp farmers, who could benefit from expanded uses including construction and soil remediation.

Figures and deadlines

  • Every three years, Member States must notify summaries of national food security plans to the Commission.