Ladies and Gentlemen,
Obesity is not a problem in and of itself: it is a cause of over 1.2 million deaths a year in Europe. It is therefore becoming one of the most serious health challenges. That is why effective prevention and the development of healthy eating habits from an early age are of crucial importance. The ‘Fruit, Vegetables and Milk at School’ scheme plays an important role in this regard. As the EPL’s rapporteur for the review of Regulation 1308/2013, I am convinced that it is essential to continue and strengthen this scheme. It should ensure that children have access to healthy food and teach them how to recognise the origin of produce, appreciate the value of seasonal and local products, and recognise the work of farmers.
The experiences of the regions also demonstrate how important it is to fund preventive measures. Under the current financial framework, EU funding has enabled the implementation of programmes to combat lifestyle-related diseases, including in the Opole Voivodeship. It would be worthwhile to continue this in the years 2028–2034.
As a former PE teacher, I would also like to emphasise that a healthy diet must go hand in hand with physical activity. Habits relating to exercise and sport, formed in childhood, often stay with us throughout our lives and result in good health in adulthood. Only a comprehensive approach, combining nutrition education, support for healthy food from European farmers and the promotion of an active lifestyle, will enable us to effectively tackle the growing problem of obesity.