EU-US Conference Discussion
Debate arose following a debriefing on the EU-US conference on good practices held in May, which EPHA attended. Issues raised included lack of evidence for the effects of “education programmes” on health living run or funded by food industry, correct figures on expenditure, the ability of organisations to carry out independent monitoring, and the role of youth in the EU Platform. SANCO is to speak to the European Youth Forum to see if it is interested and eligible in getting involved.
Platform Monitoring Process
There then followed discussion around the Platform’s own First Monitoring Report. Madelin considered evidence of monitoring of the Platform’s activities a very big political issue, which is necessary for the success of the Platform. The Commission’s representative noted the difficulties in drafting the report - five members had not yet responded, the problem of transferring commitments made at high levels to be carried out at ground level, issues of gathering data, etc. Next steps are to polish up the report with a view to publishing an end-of-year report for 2006. Members must submit their individual contributions by the end of November.
The Platform’s Monitoring Framework was then presented. Members were encouraged to following up on commitments to Platform. Members were advised by representatives of the Commission the following:
organisations should have clear objectives of commitments
organisations should independently assess and measure progress
organisations should have clear objectives of commitments
organisations should identify resources
organisations should ensure the commitment is relevant to the organisation and to make a credible case as to why the organisation chose it
Extensive debate followed. There appeared to be little disagreement that monitoring is indeed needed - the question centred around the whether it should be self-monitoring or peer monitoring. The issue of whether stakeholders should monitor each others actions (i.e. the right of access) was raised but considered by Madelin to be inappropriate considering the trust and honesty within the membership that the Platform organisers strive to achieve.
The Monitoring Framework is not intended to be a “model”, since there is such diversity of actions and methods among members - a one-size-fits-all approach will not work.
Realism in the framework was generally acknowledged to be important, especially the notion that the impact of some actions will take longer to emerge than others.
It was noted that the language of the draft Monitoring Framework will have to be tightened, perhaps to include the word “evidence” which some members felt should be made explicit in the framework. Independent monitoring of commitments/actions of Platform members will be encouraged in the wording. The fictitious examples quoted in the draft monitoring Framework document are to be removed to avoid confusion and less sensitive examples included. The ultimate evaluation of where the Platform is going is yet to be addressed.
A revised draft is to be available by the end of July and a brief debate scheduled for the September meeting.
Membership
The Commission recommended that of the new membership applications for the Platform, five new organisations be included and 11 rejected. Those approved included Federation of the European Play Industry (FEPI), European Health and Fitness Association (EHFA), International Sport and Culture Organisation (ISCA). Those proposed to be approved included Assemblee des Regions Europeennes Fruitieres, Leguiieres et Horticloes (AREFLH) and European Association of Fresh Fruit Producers (Eurofel).
Freshfel was against Eurofel joining for reasons of overlap of objectives and transparency.
In order to expand the Platform with representation from all sectors, organisations working on physical activity are to be encouraged yo join. Madelin noted that a focussed session is needed to tackle this.
CIAA Announcement of a common Nutrition Labelling Scheme
CIAA took the opportunity to use the Platform meeting to announce a common Nutrition Labelling Scheme. Madelin noted that he was glad the initiative was not an obstacle to the Commission’s labelling registration and BEUC welcomed the back-of-pack resolutions.
However, other NGOs felt that CIAA’s announcement and timing of the announcement was an effort to preempt Commission conclusions on the recent consultation on labelling. IASO International Obesity Taskforce questioned how the Guideline Daily Allowance (GDA) were generated, backed by Standing Committee Of European Doctors who noted that the inclusion of GDAs is highly controversial. Madelin noted that the CIAA proposal will be looked at again once stakeholders have had time to examine it more fully.
Conference on "Managing Sweetness - Towards Constructive, Workable Solutions"
Madelin noted that more detail of this conference - organised by the US based Oldways Preservation Trust on 21 June 2006 and which EPHA attended - will be made available on the Platform website. Sweetness is part of the reformulation of food and drink issue. A discussion on this issue is planned for 19 September or the next Platform meeting.
WHO Conference in Istanbul
Madelin explained that there are 10 observerships for Platform members to attend the WHO conference in November.
In addition, the Commission would like several Platform members to make a presentation at the WHO conference on the Platform itself, especially the benefits/risks of public-private partnership, for an audience of about 100 people.
Members should let Platform secretariat know if interested by the end of July.
Canadian Approach
Canadian representatives offered a “snapshot” of different initiatives in their country regarding nutrition, physical activity and health. They were Natasha Parraig of Health Canada, Hasan Hutchinson of Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Babara Legowski of WHO Collaborating Center on Chronic Disease Policy.
They each described the specifics of their organiations and ongoing projects. It was noted that ways of working between different departments (horizontal policies) are similar to those of the EU. Bringing stakeholders together has been a positive experience so far in Canada and a practice which will continue. Madelin concluded that there is scope to build a best-practice exchange between EU and Canada. There will be follow-up to explore our missions and to share outputs on progress by the beginning of 2007 .
German Presidency
The German Presidency will hold a conference on prevention measures, whose main objective is to offer networking opportunities. They are currently compiling the results of a questionnaire to Member States on Prevention. Those interested should let the Presidency know by the end of July if interested in getting involvement either via the Platform secretariat or using the details to be made available on the Platform website.
