Second meeting of the Diet, Physical Activity and Health - EU Platform for Action

Robert Madelin, Director General of the European Commission’s DG Sanco, chaired on 1 July 2005 the second meeting of the European Platform on Diet, Nutrition and Physical Activity.

The Commission also reported back to Platform members the conclusions of the Health Council meeting of 3 June, mentioning that obesity was one of the top priorities on the national agendas.

The Commission outlined the structure of the online "Baseline" document which would be used to collect the information about the activities of the members of the Platform. The Platform will also have a section in the "Circa" website where all information and working documents would be easily accessible.

A report from each working group of the Platform (healthy lifestyles, informing consumer behaviour and monitoring) was presented to all members. Members of the Platform have until mid July to send contributions to the working groups suggesting topics for the agendas of future meetings.

Mr Madelin reminded the three organisations that had not yet submitted their baseline documents to do so.

The CIAA (food and drink industry) presented a proposal to the Platform members, that the Platform should develop a common project that all members could support, like the EPODE project. The proposal was based in a presentation made to the founders of the Platform about the EPODE program, an ongoing project since 1992 carried out in the French region of Fleurbaix Laventie titled "Together we can prevent obesity", sponsored by the community and the industry in educating children in nutrition and physical activity.

Mr Madelin welcomed the idea of having common projects based on projects carried out by national representatives of Platform members. However some participants asked for a more detailed proposal from CIAA and more information about the EPODE project. Mr Madelin asked Platform members to send additional ideas for common projects before the September meeting.

Mr Pierre Mairesse, Director, DG Education and Culture, responsible for Sport, young and civil society, introduced EAC activities and offered their contribution to the Platform process. He drew the attention of participants to a study which was published online on 3 January 2005 "Young people’s lifestyle and sedentariness"

Mr Madelin suggested that a brief should be prepared that could be given to Commissioner Figel before the Council meetings in the UK. Members of the Platform discussed on how to co-operate with DG EAC and were invited to send ideas to the Commission to be put on the agenda.

The Commission had received 13 applications from different organisations to become Platform members. Only four of these applicants were welcomed as members of the Platform: EuroHealthnet, International Diabetes Federation (both EPHA members), Freshfel Europe, and the International Osteoporosis Foundation.

Masterfoods, a food multinational member of the CIAA, made a presentation about a new programme for vending machines in schools called "Smart Choice", where new machines propose healthy alternative choices (e.g. water, dried fruits etc.) but leave schools free to decide which products they want to offer to pupils.

Regarding the use of the logo of the Platform it was agreed that Members of the Platform can use the logo for activities clearly connected to Platform activities, but not to foster commercial interests.