WRITTEN QUESTION E-1209/03 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Distribution of infant milk in African countries.
Date: 2003-04-02
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: World Health Organisation, agri-foodstuffs, baby food, code of conduct, health policy, marketing, mother's milk, powdered milk

C 88 E/342

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

8.4.2004

Human Rights. The Commission shares the concerns and concluding observations expressed by the UN
Human Rights Committee concerning the implementation of the International Covenant on Civil and
Political Rights, to which Vietnam is a party. This is particularly true for the Committee’s observations
pertaining to the respect of the rights of members of indigenous communities, the freedom of expression
in the media and the right to register and freely operate political parties.

The Commission and Member States have repeatedly urged the Government of Vietnam to strengthen its
respect for political and religious freedoms, as well as further strengthen economic and social freedoms.
They again expressed this request in their joint declaration at the Consultative Group meeting in Hanoi in
December 2002.

The reference to the respect for Human Rights and democratic principles in Article 1 of the Commission-
Vietnam Co-operation Agreement constitutes the enabling framework for the Human Rights dialogue of
the Commission with the Government of Vietnam, for instance in the context of Joint Commission
meetings.

The Commission, together with the Member States, will continue to follow closely the human rights
situation in Vietnam, including the cases that have been mentioned by the Honourable Members, and raise
specific concerns with the Government of Vietnam and take appropriate action.

(2004/C 88 E/0348)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1209/03

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(2 April 2003)

Subject: Distribution of infant milk in African countries

While the World Health Organisation (WHO) advises against the advertising of milk powder for babies in
order to promote breastfeeding, companies producing milk and manufacturing infant milk powder, for
example Nestlé and Danone, have infringed WHO guidelines, arguing that they are seeking to reduce child
mortality and are distributing milk powder and other items to pregnant women, for example stethoscopes,
free of charge. In the accompanying advertising material they maintain that their milk is comparable to
breast milk.

Given that such actions infringe WHO guidelines regarding the promotion of breastfeeding and given the
European interests in these companies, what action will the Commission take in response to this situation?

Answer given by Mr Nielson on behalf of the Commission

(21 May 2003)

The Commission fully supports the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk substitutes, which was
adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981. The Commission is aware and concerned that there are
still baby food companies that do not adhere to the Code and governments which have not implemented
its provisions. The Commission will continue to encourage the compliance of the private sector, and
particularly the companies, mentioned by the Honourable Member, with the International Code of
Marketing of Breast-milk substitutes in the context of the European Union Corporate Social Responsibility
Stakeholders Forum and associated dialogues and partnerships.