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Statement to the WHO Executive Board, January
2000
- Mr Chairman, thank you for giving me the opportunity to address the distinguished
members of the Executive Board on behalf of the International Association
of Infant Food Manufacturers. IFM is part of the International Special Dietary
Foods Industries (ISDI), an NGO that has official relations with WHO since
1987.
- IFM members have repeatedly affirmed their support for the International
Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes. Today, I would like to reaffirm
this committment and our desire to cooperate with governments and WHO in ensuring
its effective implementation in the national social and legislative frameworks,
and the overall development objectives of each individual country. We are
encouraged by the progress reported in EB Document 105/36 paragraph VI/12,
in which it is stated that 160 countries have taken action in this respect.
- IFM fully supports the efforts the Director General announced at the 51st
World Health Assembly to promote breastfeeding and to improve infant &
child nutrition. We also support efforts to foster a constructive dialogue
between the infant food industry, and consumer and community-based NGOs. Where
this last point is concerned, the Roundtable meetings hosted by WHO in November
1998 were an important step in the strategy to be followed for the years to
come. This continued dialogue could assist member states, industry, and other
stakeholders to identify the impact of the Code in contributing to the provision
of safe and adequate nutrition for infants. Where there are legitimate points
of disagreement, the Roundtables provide a mechanism for resolving issues,
and will encourage the introduction of effective, independent and impartial
Code monitoring. We hope that the Roundtables hosted by the WHO will continue
this year.
- IFM welcomes the WHO Global Technical Consultation which will be convened
in March 2000. As announced by Dr Brundtland, it will include an assessment
of "current trends in breastfeeding and complementary feeding, their significance
for child nutrition, health and development and their implication for national
and international action". It is indeed important for the industry that this
Consultation provides solid, up-to-date, and science based recommendations
from which to formulate a new Infant and Young Child Feeding Strategy for
the next decade.
- IFM appreciates the high priority given to the matter of HIV and infant
health, as evidenced by the DG's opening statement and at the recent discussion
in the UN Security Council.Our industry is very sensitive to the matter and
its impact on infant and child feeding. IFM remains ready to cooperate with
WHO and Member States in this connection.
In conclusion, Mr Chairman, allow me to emphasize once again IFM's support for:
- effective measures taken by governments to implement the International Code
- the Director General's Roundtables to improve dialogue among interested
parties.
IFM congratulates the Director General for her continued leadership in this important area of infant and young child nutrition and appreciates her efforts to promote dialogue towards constructive solutions.
Thank you Mr Chairman.
Geneva, 28 January 2000
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