Brussels will propose that fruit, vegetable and milk in schools should be “Made in Europe” as part of a wider push to favour domestic industries from defence to agriculture.
The European Commission will say on Wednesday that milk, fruit and vegetables bought through its schools scheme should be produced in Europe, in a signal to schools to buy more locally, according to a draft proposal seen by Financial Times. The scheme funds about €220mn worth of produce per year.
The “Made in Europe” clause reflects Brussels’ push for European institutions and companies to prioritise domestic goods over imports in an effort to boost the bloc’s flagging industry. The proposal comes as the commission prepares to make sweeping changes to agricultural funding as part of its next common budget, which it will also propose on Wednesday.