§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what progress the Government have made in implementing the WHO (Europe) proposals for national and local food and nutrition action plans following the Malta 1999 consultation. [117527]
§ Ms StuartWe recognise the importance of good nutrition throughout life for maintaining health. We are playing an active role in supporting the development of the World Health Organisation (WHO) Food and Nutrition Action Plan with a view to its adoption by the WHO's Regional Committee in September 2000. We agree that each member state should develop its own action plan in response, taking into account the remit of other key organisations, particularly the European Union. We have set out the role of diet in promoting health and preventing disease in "Saving Lives: Our Healthier Nation", particularly in the key priority areas of coronary heart disease, stroke and cancer. The National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease requires local players, co-ordinated by the local health authority, to develop and implement a comprehensive programme of effective policies including promoting healthy eating by April 2001.