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• add milk products with proven beneficial effects for children's health, such as cheese, curd and yoghurt to the list of foodstuffs eligible for EU funding (provided they are not flavoured and do not contain added fruits, nuts or cocoa), with priority to go to local and regional products,

• require EU member states to earmark 10% - 20% of the EU funding for educational activities, e.g. to promote healthy eating habits and fight food waste, including farm visits and occasional distribution of local specialities such as processed fruit and vegetables (unless they contain added sugar, fat, salt, sweeteners or artificial flavour enhancers), honey, olives or dried fruits,

• allocate an additional €20 million a year for milk measures bringing annual funding for milk and milk products up to €100 million, with €150 million for fruit and vegetables, and

• distribute EU funds more fairly among EU member states, by setting two core criteria for the entire scheme (share of six to ten-year-old children in the population and degree of development of the region within the member state). Past levels of milk-scheme funds will be taken into account for the first six years of the scheme and would be balanced with a new, minimum annual amount of EU aid per child.

Next steps

Parliament approved the amendments to the draft regulation and the mandate for negotiations with EU ministers by 458 votes to 97, with 28 abstentions. Once the Council of Ministers approves its negotiating position, Parliament, the Council and the European Commission should start talks on the final shape of new legislation.