In a significant blow to children who cannot or do not want to consume milk, Members of the European Parliament have voted against the inclusion of plant-based drinks in schools. This decision impacts around 20 million children across Europe.
According to food awareness organisation ProVeg International, the majority of Members of the European Parliament failed to include plant-based drinks in the EU School Scheme initiative report. This is disappointing news for children who are unable or do not wish to consume cow’s milk for medical, ethical, taste, or environmental reasons.
Despite this setback, Lucia Hortelano, EU policy manager at ProVeg International, is hopeful that the European Commission will incorporate plant-based drinks in the scheme as part of their end-of-year review. Hortelano states, “Including fortified plant-based milk alternatives is essential in terms of inclusion, availability, sustainability and affordability.”
The EU School Scheme has the potential to become a powerful tool for public procurement for sustainable and eco-friendly products for children across Europe. The inclusion of plant-based drinks in the scheme could further EU efforts towards more sustainable diets, in alignment with the Food Systems Framework initiative – the EU’s legislative framework for sustainable food systems.
Although the Members of European Parliament have voted against it, there is still hope for the inclusion of unsweetened fortified plant-based alternatives to milk in the scheme. The European Commission will work on publishing a new proposal to implement the EU-funded scheme, and calls on the European Commission to bring about change.
Overall, the exclusion of plant-based drinks in schools is a blow to children that cannot or do not wish to consume milk. However, with continued efforts from organisations such as ProVeg International, there is still hope for change and a more sustainable future for all.
