Nick Clegg says the UK supports the Code on Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes?!

[tabouleh]

On last night's webchat with Nick Clegg, he said that

"The UK supports the World Health Organisation?s (WHO) International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes"

So how come the UK has not fully adopted it?

Perhaps Nick and other members of the Government are not aware of this.

His response to a Q from Kveta was:

"Kveta, I?m delighted that you?ve received great support for breastfeeding in your local area. You and others have picked up on the importance of breastfeeding for mothers and babies both in the UK and particularly in developing countries. Evidence shows that Support to breastfeeding in developing countries would reduce infant deaths by more than 10%. UK development policy and programmes completely recognise the importance of immediate and exclusive breastfeeding for mothers. The UK supports the World Health Organisation?s (WHO) International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes"

I said:

Nick

"The UK supports the World Health Organisation?s (WHO) International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes."

That's great but are you aware that actually the UK has not fully implemented the Code. Follow on formula, which is marketed to babies from 6 months+, was invented by the marketing companies solely in order to advertise.

The UK needs to lead on this issue because in the USA formula is not only advertised but samples are handed out by paediatricians.

Formula companies continue to blatently disregard the code in developing countries.

Please see baby milk action for more info.

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It looked like someone had briefed Nick that the UK supported the code but failed to mention that we don't fully implement it ourselves. .

Nick Clegg is representing the UK at the millennium development goals summit.

One goal is to "Reduce by two thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under-five mortality rate" - if only the WHO code was implemented everywhere in the world - that would have a significant impact, surely?

Nice one Tabouleh!

Clegg probably means well, anyone who slags off SWMNBN is OK in my books.

Unfortunately this is the same coalition govt that is currently trying to dismember the Food Standards Agency and remove its remit to regulate the food industry. I'm sure they are all for worthy policies overseas, but when it comes to restricting the actions of their corporate buddies in the UK ...

To be honest, I'm not necessarily against dismantling the FSA as I've not been impressed with their publicity re safer FFing nor their attempts to get companies to amend their packaging.

If the things covered by the FSA can be done in a more focussed way by a Government department for less £ then that would be great.

With institutions such as the FSA I always sense that it removes the issues/implentation of things that one step away from Ministers so that their response will always be - we'll have to get XYZ Agency to look into that....

Nick & his advisors will now be aware from reading the thread at least!

'You and others have picked up on the importance of breastfeeding for mothers and babies both in the UK and particularly in developing countries.'

Well, thanks to the aggressive cuts being made by the government our local PCT has cut funding for the county's breastfeeding support charity meaning many of the groups will now have to close.

Sorry I know that's not really salient to the thread but charity begins at home and all that. Most of these politicians really have no idea about the reality of their policies do they?

Bumperlicious i think your point is salient, because David Camerons whole election thing was on the Big Society, and therefore local communities doing things for themselves instead of government. STopping this funding you describe in your area will make this harder.

Good point. It means more time and effort to be spent on fundraising that could be spent on training and supporting mums.

It looks like your PCT is taking the "easy option" wrt to cuts. .

From Prime Minister Qs this week:

Many organisations are on the brink of closure because of those cuts. If the Prime Minister believes in the big society, what will he do to save those groups?

The Prime Minister: What I would say to the hon. Lady's local council is what I would say to every council in the country, which is that we all know-and Opposition Members know-that we have to make spending reductions. The Opposition were committed to £44 billion of spending reductions at the last election, and we should say to every single council in the country,

"When it comes to looking at and trimming your budgets, don't do the easy thing, which is to cut money to the voluntary bodies and organisations working in our communities. Look at your core costs. Look at how you can do more for less. Look at the value for money you get from working with the voluntary sector."

The hon. Lady should take that message to her local authority. That is the message that I would take to her local authority, and everyone should try to work in that direction.