WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1191/96 by James NICHOLSON to the Commission. Population control programmes in developing countries
Date: 1996-05-15
Institutions: European Parliament, NICHOLSON
Subjects: ACP countries, EU financing, action programme, birth control, developing countries, health policy, non-governmental organisation, overpopulation, population policy













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91996E1191

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1191/96 by James NICHOLSON to the Commission. Population control programmes in developing countries  


Official Journal C 011 , 13/01/1997 P. 0006 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1191/96 by James Nicholson (PPE) to the Commission (15 May 1996)Subject: Population control programmes in developing countriesWill the Commission list:1. All projects dealing with population control which are receiving European Community funding.2. The name of each recipient organization, the amount of funding provided with the purpose for which the funding is intended, together with the country in which that funding is being used.3. A list of all non-governmental organizations which receive EU funding for population control programmes.Answer given by Mr Marin on behalf of the Commission (17 June 1996)A list of population control projects funded by the Commission is sent direct to the Honourable Member and the Parliament's Secretariat. The list covers the projects currently financed under various budget lines and financial protocols.Since the focus on a reproductive and sexual health approach was incorporated in the programme of action of the International conference for population and development in Cairo ((Published by United Nations Department of Public Information DPI/1618/POP-95-93124-March1995-30M. )) in September 1994, existing population programmes can no longer be defined as 'population control programmes', focusing on birth control only. These programmes move beyond this focus and include all information and services which enable women and men to have sexual relations without fear of infection, unwanted pregnancy, coercion or violence. They are thus enabled to control their fertility in the manner of their choosing without unpleasant or dangerous side effects and to enhance their ability to bear and raise healthy children.A list of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) receiving funding is also sent direct to the Honourable Member and the Parliament's Secretariat. NGOs which have received direct funding in the past are included as well. As far as the NGO cofinancing scheme (B7-6000, ex-B7-5010) is concerned, most family planning projects (in addition to smaller such components in wider integrated projects) have been cofinanced with two NGOs, Marie Stopes international and Population concern, in a huge number of developing countries, for a global amount of more than 5 MECU in 1993-1995. In view of the bulky character of the information on those numerous projects, the documentation on these, including list of projects, name of beneficiary organisations, amounts and beneficiary countries, is sent direct to the Honourable Member and to the Secretariat General of the Parliament.In the ACP countries a number of health programmes focusing on primary health care supported by the Community do include family planning as an element of the minimum package of services which have to be secured at the primary level. The total amount for health projects under the 7th European development fund represents 310 MECU. In addition to this amount, some 500 MECU of the counterpart funds from the structural adjustment facility are targeted to support national health projects.