An EU scheme to provide free, locally sourced fruit in schools has been welcomed by Plaid MEP Jill Evans.

Ms Evans said she would be writing to Welsh Agriculture Minister Elin Jones regarding the scheme which she hopes will be good news for Welsh school children and farmers.

The scheme, which is due to come into force in time for the 2009/10 school year was approved this week by the European Parliament's Agriculture Committee and is due for final approval by the full parliament in November.

Ms Evans, who represents the whole of Wales in the European Parliament, said that she would certainly be voting in favour of the scheme.

Commenting, the Plaid MEP said:

"This is great news for school pupils and farmers alike, and it's particularly welcome that this European money will be used to buy locally produced fruit . The One Wales Government is committed to improving children's diet and promoting local food so this scheme will certainly help.

"It's important to promote a culture of healthy eating at an early age. There's no better way to do that than by encouraging children to eat fresh fruit produced locally"

Diwedd/Ends.