Update 63

Highlights from EPHA’s 2002 seminar

Our annual seminar this year covered the new Public Health Programme, sustainable development, enlargement and partnerships. Taking place on 17-18 June in Brussels, it attracted representatives from more than 40 organisations. Participants heard from Fernand Sauer, Director of Public Health plus representatives of DG Environment and the World Health Organization. The meeting also provided the opportunity for EPHA to announce the findings of its survey on health and enlargement.
Dr Fernand (...)

The Common Agricultural Policy at a glance

We publish more information about the common agricultural policy and its impact on health.
Origins of CAP
Born in post World War ll reconstruction. The 1957 Treaty of Rome article 39 stated CAP should:
"increase production by promoting technical progress..
"ensure a fair standard of living for the agricultural community..
"stabilise markets...
"assure availability of supplies...
"ensure that supplies reach consumers at reasonable prices..."
Stresa Conference
In July 1958, (...)

Making healthy food a factor in CAP reform

Tim Lang, Professor of Food Policy at Thames Valley University, UK, believes that those involved in health must stop talking about outcomes of ill-health and concentrate on altering the determinants - such as the nutritional impact of the food supply chain, starting at the farm. He believes that changing the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is a symbol of whether there is real political will to act.
European Union food policy is witnessing remarkable change. (1) Although the new Fischler (...)

How to win some hearts

Fruit and vegetable consumption reduces the risks of heart disease. Europeans therefore need to be encouraged to eat more fresh fruit and green vegetables. Yet, in most European countries, supplies of this vital source of nutrients and fibre are insufficient to meet the WHO-recommended dietary intake. Should European policy encourage the production of more local produce?
Cardiovascular diseases - including coronary heart disease and stroke - are the main cause of death in Europe. They are (...)

Towards a healthy farming and food policy

How well do the proposals of the Common Agricultural Policy review fit with EPHA’s goals for changes in farming and food policy?
Three years ago, the European Public Health Alliance produced a consultative document on food, health and the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). (1) It was signed by 50 groups and individuals concerned with health, nutrition, environment and social justice in Europe. Its purpose was to outline demands for policy change, and to provide a focus for joint action by (...)

Public interest group on medicines launched

The Medicines in Europe Forum, which was created in March 2002 in Paris, aims to ensure that European pharmaceutical policy serves the public interest. Christophe Kopp of International Society of Drug Bulletins describes why the Forum was created and introduces three principles that need to be reinforced in the proposed Pharmaceutical Directive and Regulation of the European Commission
In an unprecedented move, French and Belgium mutual insurance systems (1), consumer organisations, (...)