100,000 litres of milk consumed each year at schools

Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino, who was visiting the Floriana Primary school, said the European Milk Scheme aims at increasing the consumption of milk amongst children and encourage them to drink it outside school hours.

"This campaign also aims at informing children on the health benefits of milk,” Pullicino said.

The milk scheme is co-funded by the EU, with the rest of the costs paid by the schools. It is open to all children attending nursery, primary and secondary schools. The EU subsidies €18.15 for every 100kg of milk.

Pullicino said €72,000 have been invested  in this scheme, with the result that 300,000 litres of milk have been consumed by 14,000 students in 49 different schools.

Pullicino also announced that next Sunday a milk feast will take place in Gharghur between 11.30am and 5.30pm. The feast will include a variety of food and drinks made from milk products, the selling of fresh milk, educational activities for children, visits to cow farms and an exhibition of animals which produce milk.

A number of local artists will also participate.