HC Deb 10 June 2004 vol 422 cc542-3W
Mr. Laurence Robertson

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the implementation of EU Council Resolution 92/C172/01. [176767]

Miss Melanie Johnson

[holding answer 7 June 2004]: European Council Resolution 92/C172/01 of 18 June 1992 aims to offer support to the competent authorities of third countries in their efforts to apply the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes in their territories.

The European Community cannot legislate for third countries. However, as provided for in Resolution 92/C172/01, the European Commission has instructed its delegations in third countries to serve as contact points for receiving, from the competent authorities in those countries, any complaints about or criticisms of marketing practices in those countries by Community-based manufacturers of infant formulae and follow-on formulae.