Chairperson, honourable delegates,

IBFAN welcomes this opportunity to speak on this important issue on behalf of Consumers International and Save the Children. Consumers International, the global federation of consumer organizations worldwide. With 250 member groups in 115 countries, CI represents the world's six billion consumers and is a co-founder of the International Baby Food Network. IBFAN defends the rights of the most vulnerable consumers, infants and young children to the highest attainable standard of health through the protection and promotion of breastfeeding and the reduction of needless formula feeding.

We are pleased that the Global Strategy on Diet, Physical Activity and Health recognizes the vital role of breastfeeding in the reduction of chronic diseases. This, together with the Global Strategy on Infant and Young Child Feeding which recognizes the urgency to reduce the more than seven million deaths annually due malnutrition associated with 'inappropriate infant feeding practices' form a vital framework for action. Many more millions suffer the life-long consequences of not having been breastfed, even in rich countries. Just last month, the journal Pediatrics published a USA based survey showing that children who were never breastfed had a 21per cent greater risk of dying in the postneonatal period, than those who were breastfed.

IBFAN therefore urges the Assembly to consider the draft resolution, to deal with the newly recognized risks associated with infant formula feeding. Serious illness such as meningitis, sepsis, necrotizing enterocolitis and even death can result from the potential contamination arising from the manufacturing processes of powdered infant formulas by Enterobacter sakazakii The Codex Alimentarius Risk Profile, as prepared by the USA and Canada for the Codex Committee on Food Hygiene, states, "E sakazakii is known to be present in a proportion of powdered infant formula, such formula has been epidemiologically linked with illness in neonates, and such illness may be life threatening."

As Codex notes, "That alone is enough to seriously consider appropriate strategies to reduce this documented risk," hence the need to support the draft resolution.

IBFAN, in line with its mandate under the International Code and as part of its efforts to remove barriers to breastfeeding has for the past two decades documented unethical marketing of breastmilk substitutes. The latest monitoring report, Breaking the Rules 2004 was released this week. Sadly, it provides evidence of systematic and pervasive violations as documented from 69 countries. IBFAN keeps track of Code implementation by companies as well as by countries. Our two charts "State of the Code by Country" and "State of the Code by Company" affirm this. The distinguished delegates may wish note the alarming increase in health and nutrition claims, clearly used as promotional sales techniques. IBFAN maintains if any compositional changes are made to breastmilk substitutes, they should be applied to all products and not become tools for advertising.

IBFAN appeals to Member States to invigorate their efforts to implement the International Code, and to pay specific attention to conflicts of interest which may arise for those working in infant and young child feeding through situations such as such as baby food industry sponsorships of research, meetings, educational activities for health professionals. We commend the actions of two countries – Azerbaijan and India.

Thank you Mr. Chairman and distinguished delegates.