Baby food industry to be investigated by European Parliament

In January the European Parliament adopted a Resolution calling for controls on European businesses operating in developing countries.

Public hearings into key companies and industries are due to commence later this year. Richard Howitt MEP, who steered the Resolution through the Parliament, has called for Nestlé and the baby food industry in general to be amongst the first in the spotlight (see Baby Milk Action press release 12th May 1999). Ideally, these hearings will lead to a Directive which will make companies answerable in the law courts in Europe if they break international standards on health, the environment and human rights.

This is an exciting development. Those familiar with the Baby Milk Campaign will recall that in 1978 Nestlé was investigated at public hearings in the United States Senate and this helped to bring about the International Code.

Submissions to the hearings can be sent to Richard Howitt MEP, 13G 113, 1047, European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium. Faxes can be sent to his UK office fax: +44 (0)1268 550700

E-mail: rhowitt@europarl.eu.int

For Information contact:
Mike Brady
Campaigns and Networking Coordinator
Baby Milk Action
23 St. Andrew's Street,
Cambridge, CB2 3AX, UK
Tel: +44 (0)1223 464420
Fax: +44 (0)1223 464417
babymilkacti@gn.apc.org

Note: The action sheet for the May `99 Campaign for Ethical Marketing and the latest report on the Campaign for Ethical Marketing have been posted on the Baby Milk Action web site: http://www.babymilkaction.org