PROMOTION OF BREAST MILK SUBSTITUTES

Early day motion 1894, tabled 11 July 2007 by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 44 members.

That this House notes with concern that the UK has one of the lowest rates of breastfeeding in Europe; is aware that public advertising of infant formula is prohibited under current legislation and therefore regrets that baby milk products are widely advertised in parenting magazines and on television; welcomes the fact that the new Commission Directive 2006/141/EC of 22nd December 2006 on Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula requires that EU member states give effect to the principles and aims the International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes adopted by the World Health Assembly in 1981, but is concerned that the directive leaves opens loopholes allowing baby milk advertising to continue; and calls upon the Government to use the forthcoming transposition process to protect both babies' health and mothers' right to impartial information by effectively prohibiting all baby milk advertising and fully implementing the International Code.

Signatures by party: Labour 21, Liberal Democrat 19, DUP 2, Independent 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.