Resources Centre
read the latest newscodewatch: meet the code-breakersread the latest Boycott news, and join the Nestlé boycottVirtual Shopvisit the Resource Centresearch our growing databaselinks to breastfeeding resourcescontact Baby Milk Action

UK Parliamentary campaign letter

Select the text below and copy and past into your word processor programme, add your name and contact details and the name of your MP and post it to the address given in the letter. The letter asks MPs to support an Early Day Motion being tabled by Lynne Jones MP on 13 May 2004, calling for the UK Government to do more to stop baby food marketing malpractice in the UK and in other countries. You can find your MPs details via http://www.locata.co.uk/commons/ It is best to send the letter in the conventional post, but if this is difficult, you could use the site http://www.faxyourmp.org.uk/ to send a fax.

[Insert the name of your MP] MP
House of Commons
London
SW1A 0AA

Date: [Insert date]

Dear [Insert the name of your MP] MP

Baby Food Marketing Malpractice – constituent request

As your constituent and a supporter of Baby Milk Action, I am writing to draw your attention to an Early Day Motion that I hope you will sign and meeting that I hope you will attend.

Early Day Motion - 1173

In October 2002 the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child report called on the on the UK Government to implement the World Health Assembly International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes. The UK still does not fully comply. Lynne Jones MP will be tabling an EDM on 12 May 2004 to highlight this and violations of the Code and subsequent Resolutions in other countries – text attached. If you are willing to add your name please let Lynne Jones know - you can either call 020 7219 4190 or sign and return the fax back form attached to this letter to 020 7219 3870.

Meeting 13 May 2004

Members of the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN) from a variety of countries presented monitoring evidence gathered by groups around the world to MPs and explained current concerns. The meeting was held during UK Breastfeeding Awareness Week and prior to the World Health Assembly meeting in Geneva (commencing 17 May) where Member States will be discussing infant and young child feeding.

I would be grateful if you could let me know whether you will be signing the Motion.

Best wishes,

 

Yours sincerely,

 

Constituents name and address:
[insert name and address including postcode]


PLEASE DO NOT SEND TO THE TABLE OFFICE

EARLY DAY MOTION AND MEETING FAX BACK FORM TO LYNNE JONES MP: 020 7219 3870

That this house notes the monitoring evidence collected by the International Baby Food Action Network (IBFAN), a network of more than 200 groups in over 100 countries, demonstrates that companies continue to market baby food products in breach of the World Health Assembly International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes and subsequent, relevant Resolutions; also notes that where there is malpractice it is systematic and institutionalized and that, globally, 1.5 million infants die every year because they are not breastfed; and that even in industrialised countries with universal access to health care, there are significant negative effects of artificial infant feeding, including increased risk of diabetes and obesity; is concerned that UK law only implements some provisions of the Code limiting these to infant formula, not all breastmilk substitutes and that follow-on formula, with similar packaging and the same name as the infant formula, is widely advertised, bottles and teat marketing is totally unregulated and while the Code bans direct contact with mothers, UK companies have baby clubs and 'carelines'; therefore calls on the Government to support independently monitored and enforced legislation fully implementing the Code and Resolutions at UK, EU and international level and additional WHA Resolutions to strengthen protection of appropriate infant feeding practices, to address emerging aggressive baby milk food marketing, to make appropriate policy changes in response to scientific developments; and to take action to ensure that EU Council Resolution 92/C172/01 on the marketing of breastmilk substitutes in third countries by Community-based manufacturers functions effectively.


NAME OF MP – PLEASE PRINT CLEARLY

 

___ Yes, please add my name to above Early Day Motion

signed:


FAX TO 020 7219 3870