WRITTEN QUESTION E-0805/03 by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission. Baby feeding and powdered milk in Africa.
Date: 2003-03-17
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: Africa, agri-foodstuffs, baby food, disease prevention, early childhood, food hygiene, health aid, mother's milk, powdered milk, public awareness campaign

6.2.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 33 E/83

The Member States and/or the regions have already financed this type of activities. Therefore, as the actual
community instruments (Rural Development Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 and Community Initiative
Leader+) already cover the possibility of financing measures relating to marketing of tourist activities, the
Commission does not consider it necessary to include a new measure in Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999.

(1) Council Regulation (EC) No 1257/1999 of 17 of May 1999 on support for rural development from the European

Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF) and amending and repealing certain Regulations.

(2) Commission notice to the member states of 14 April 2000 laying down guidelines for the Community initiative for

rural development (Leader+). OJ C 139, 18.5.2000.

(2004/C 33 E/078)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0799/03

by Paulo Casaca (PSE) to the Commission

(11 March 2003)

Subject: The situation of the Kurdish leader Abdulah Ocalan

Can the Commission confirm that Abdulah Ocalan has been in solitary confinement in Turkey since the
present Turkish Government took office?

What steps is the Commission taking to prevent the political situation from deteriorating as far as the
rights of the Kurdish minority are concerned?

Answer given by Mr Verheugen on behalf of the Commission

(1 April 2003)

The Commission is aware of Abdullah Öçalan’s current detention conditions. The Commission took note
that, after a period of around three months of isolation, A. Öçalan received the visit of his brother Mehmet
and of a number of his lawyers on 12 March 2003.

The Commission is monitoring closely Turkey’s compliance with the Accession Partnership priorities,
including the provisions aimed at ensuring cultural diversity and guaranteeing cultural rights for all citizens
irrespective of their origin.

The Commission will give a detailed assessment of Turkey’s compliance with the Copenhagen political
criteria in its forthcoming 2003 Regular Report on Turkey.

(2004/C 33 E/079)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0805/03

by Cristiana Muscardini (UEN) to the Commission

(17 March 2003)

Subject: Baby feeding and powdered milk in Africa

By means of a relentless propaganda campaign, multinational powdered-milk producers are continuing to
encourage African women to feed their new-born babies on powdered milk instead of breastfeeding them.
Such propaganda goes against the normal rules and is also particularly dangerous, since (1) in many parts
of Africa the water needed in order to dissolve the milk powder is impure and it therefore acts as a disease
carrier; (2) for the duration of the breastfeeding period, new-born babies enjoy immunity from various
diseases;
insistent advertising of powdered milk in very poor countries is of benefit only to
multinational companies and to the wealthy industialised countries which produce such milk.

(3)

C 33 E/84

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.2.2004

1. What are the Commission’s views on this matter?

Does it not think that powdered milk should be used as a substitute for breastfeeding only on the

2.
advice of medical or paramedical authorities?

Does it not think that, in agreement with the governments of the countries concerned, information
the health benefits which

3.
campaigns should be conducted in order to promote an awareness of
breastfeeding confers on new-born babies?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(23 April 2003)

The Commission broadly agrees with the assessment of the problems related to formula feeding given in
the question. The Commission’s policy has consistently been to support breast-feeding in developing
countries, except where the infant’s mother is known to be HIV positive and the safety of formula feeding
plus security of supplies can be guaranteed, or in cases of other pressing medical indications, which are
rare.

The Commission therefore agrees that powdered mild should only be used as a substitute for breast-
feeding on the advice of health workers.

The Commission supports the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes which was
adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981. In the Commission’s view the Code remains of great
relevance, although there is a need for it to be updated (cid:1) particularly in view of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

The Commission agrees that governments have a responsibility to provide information and education
about infant feeding (cid:1) in particular the advantages of breast-feeding and the problems associated with
formula feeding (cid:1) but it has no plans to support specific programmes in this area.

Increasingly the Commission’s development funds are used for general health sector support rather than
earmarked projects. While in this context the national government of the recipient country takes the lead
in determining expenditure, the Commission would view the provision of appropriate information on baby
feeding very important.

(2004/C 33 E/080)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-0810/03

by Heidi Hautala (Verts/ALE) to the Commission

Subject: Averting alcohol-related harm in Finland and the Union

(11 March 2003)

Finland, Sweden, and Denmark will have to end their restrictions on alcohol imports at the beginning of
2004. Once Estonia has been admitted to the EU on 1 May 2004, Finland will be faced with a very
difficult situation from the public health point of view. Alcoholic drinks are significantly cheaper in Estonia
than in Finland, the price difference being due mainly to the different tax rates. The scale of alcohol-related
harm varies in proportion to changes in total alcohol consumption. Studies indicate that, once import
restrictions have been lifted, total consumption in Finland will rise by as much as 15 %, resulting in,
among other things, an increase in alcohol-related deaths, by 450 cases a year, and in an upsurge, also
linked to alcohol, in the demand for social and health services, amounting to over 500 000 additional
visits a year.

In its Conclusions of 5 June 2001 on a Community strategy to reduce alcohol-related harm (1) the Council
focused on drinking by young people as an area of particular concern. After the import restrictions have
been lifted, alcohol prices in Finland will fall, and consumption will increase accordingly, first and foremost
in low income groups, and that includes young people. Article 152 of the EC Treaty stipulates that all
Community policies and activities must be defined and implemented in such a way as to ensure a high