PHM-Exch> Press Release: DAVID CAMERON'S HUNGER SUMMIT -

[Claudio Schuftan]

From: Patti Rundall <prundall at babymilkaction.org>


*Press Release: DAVID CAMERON'S HUNGER SUMMIT -  don't partner with food
giants or forget breastfeeding and the underlying causes *
*
12th August 2012
*
Baby Milk Action welcomes David Cameron, the UK Prime Minister's call to
address hunger,  but is concerned that part of the call could  promote
partnerships with commercial companies that undermine child health.

 There are many underlying factors that exacerbate food shortages and
hunger -  but when public private partnerships  (PPPs) are promoted as the
solution there are many risks.

'Partnerships' by their very nature involve shared  decision-making.   Not
surprisingly,  the companies most keen to enter nutrition 'partnerships'
are the ones that promote unhealthy foods and products and systematically
 violate theInternational Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes  and
Resolutions -and  the WHO Guidelines on Marketing to Children.

Because the first two years of life of are so crucial, it is essential that
governments  regulate and monitor marketing practices that undermine
breastfeeding and sustainable, affordable nutritious family foods.  (2)

In 2011,  a Statement of Concern developed by the Conflicts of Interest
Coalition (COIC) was endorsed by 161 national, regional and global networks
and organisations working in public health and development.   The statement
focused on the lack of clarity regarding the role of the private sector in
public policy-making and calls for the development of a Code of Conduct and
Ethical Framework to help protect the integrity of  public policy
decision-making, to ensure it is transparent and to identify, safeguard
against and manage potential conflicts of interest. The COI Statement calls
for:

• a clear distinction to be made between business-interest not-for-profit
organisations (BINGOs) and public interest non-governmental organisations
(PINGOs)
• a clear  differentiation between policy and norms and standards
development  and appropriate involvement in implementation.

**
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