§ Mrs. Ann WintertonTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) by what date she is hoping to implement the provisions of the European directive on the marketing of infant formulae;
(2) if she will make a statement summarising the provisions of the European Community directive on the marketing of infant formulae;
(3) if she will make a statement setting out the arrangements which will be adopted for consultation about the provisions of the European directive on the marketing of infant formulae; and when that consultation will begin.
§ Mr. SoamesThe Commission directive 91/321/EEC on infant formulae and follow-on formulae requires member states to introduce national laws by 1 June 1994. We will be seeking to meet that deadline.
Directive 91/321 lays down compositional and labelling requirements for infant formulae and follow-on formulae. Among these are requirements that the labelling of infant formula contains a statement concerning the superiority of breast feeding, and the use of any term that suggests that infant formula is equivalent or superior to breast milk is prohibited. Pictures of infants and other imagery that might idealise the product are also prohibited. The advertising of infant formula is permitted only in certain professional magazines and can contain only information of a scientific or factual nature. The directive prohibits manufacturers from supplying free or subsidised supplies.
Draft proposals for GB regulations implementing the directive have been prepared and were issued for consultation to interested parties in the normal way on Friday, 3 December 1993.