Secretariat News July - August 2008

EPHA working meetings

On 2 July 2008, EPHA attended the joint Platform meeting on Diet, Physical Activity and Health with High Level Group meeting. At this joint meeting a debate took place on the EU Framework for National salt initiatives and the Commission proposed a working paper for cooperation and modalities between the Platform, High Level Group and National processes. In the afternoon, the Platform held a debate on Platform Commitments in the field of lifestyles/education with the focus on nutrition related aspects.

On 13 August 2008, EPHA held a meeting with the Social platform to discuss the proposed Directive on Application of Patients rights on Cross Border Health Care within the Renewed Social Agenda.

EPHA Working Groups

On 1 July 2008, EPHA had a joint meeting with BEUC and European Heart Network to discuss a joint advocacy strategy on labelling. EPHA will release its position paper on labelling in September 2008.

On 30 July 2008, EPHA organised a Policy Coordination Meeting (PCM) for its members at the EPHA Secretariat. At this PCM an update of EU policy priorities, EPHA working group meeting and recent EPHA activities was given. Please find the minutes of this meeting at the Members Only section of the EPHA website

EPHA, your ’eyes and ears’ in Brussels

EPHA joint a first session of round table debates organised by DG Agriculture on 4 July 2008 to discuss the future of the Common Agricultural Policy. At this meeting topics such as the provision of public goods by agriculture, organic farming and rural development, water pollution and sustainable soil management practices were the main angle of this first debate.

On 7 July 2008, EPHA attended a European expert meeting on patients rights in Europe hosted by the Active Citizenship Network.The main objective of this meetings was to share and discuss the monitoring methodology and indicators on Patient Rights in general.

EPHA participated on 8 July 2008, the DG Sanco Advisory Group on the Food Chain, Animal and Plant Health. The aim of the meetings was to discuss the composition and labeling of foods suitable for people intolerant to gluten. The second item on the agenda was the consultation on the finalisation of the list of health claims and state of play on the setting of nutrient profiles on nutrition and health claims made on foods.

On 15 July 2008, EPHA participated in a breakfast meeting at the European Parliament to discuss the new proposal on Health Care Service Directive organised by the Gastein Committee. This meeting tackled the changes and challenges for patients and providers.

Between Monday 14 and Friday 18 July 2008, EPHA attended Commission Working Groups on Agri-Food Industry Competitiveness held by DG Enterprise.

On 28 August 2008, EPHA attended a hearing in the European Parliament on ’the Provision of Food Information to Consumers’ organized by the Rapporteur, MEP Renate Sommer. EPHA will provide a full report of this hearing in the September EPHA Newsletter.

EPHA health advocacy

On 6 August 2008, EPHA had a meeting with WHO Brussels office to discuss EU Public Health priorities.

On 8 and 11 August 2008, EPHA gave an in depth training service for one of its Brussels members.